ABSTRACT
A theme which gains increasing prominence both in international and in South African parlance is "unity in diversity". This chapter is divided into several parts and focuses on the way in which and the degree to which linguistic minorities are protected in South Africa. First, a brief analysis of the minority concept and its application to the South African situation is undertaken. Second, historical developments in South Africa are discussed. Third, an overview of the constitutional negotiations is given and the ensuing constitutional provisions are analysed. After a brief analysis of the certification judgements of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, a succinct overview is presented in the fifth part of the overall practice and policy development since the adoption of the Constitution. Finally, the South African experience is examined against the background of international and European standards pertaining to language rights for minorities.
