Chapter 9. EU and lesser-used languages

The compatibility between multilingual language policies and the possibilities to use Slovene (as a case-study for lesser-used languages) was researched at the levels of EU institutions and Slovene national politics. In EU institutions, linguistic diversity and the use of Slovene language have a formal, symbolic value while the backstage linguistic habitus is marked by the predominance of English/French, with the majority of Slovene representatives supporting the current linguistic regime. At the level of Slovene political institutions, the protectionist ideology is still prevalent. The new supranational context is mostly perceived as an opportunity to strengthen Slovene language while multilingual guidelines are implemented only when demanded by the EU.