Support for national minorities and minority languages is decreasing in a new survey

In the previous survey, 83 percent of the respondents considered that support for national minorities and minority languages ​​was quite or very important. In the most recent survey, the corresponding proportion was 72 percent.

- On the whole, attitudes are still positive. But the proportion that sees support for national minorities and minority languages ​​as very important has decreased, says Sari Pesonen, revitalization expert at Isof.

Economic and security political instability makes room for vulnerable minorities

In the open answers, it appears that investments in, for example, measures against unemployment are perceived as more important than support for minorities. According to Sari Pesonen, it is a well-known pattern when societies are characterized by instability.

- The European minority conventions are based on historical experience and an understanding of what can happen to minorities in connection with wars, crises and major societal changes.

The survey also shows that the respondents do not always have a clear picture of which groups and languages ​​make up Sweden's national minorities and minority languages, and therefore the answers to some extent also reflect attitudes towards immigration and immigrant languages.

- It is important to bear in mind that not everyone can mention the minorities and the languages ​​to the same extent. The answers can be based on different images and perceptions of what national minorities and minority languages ​​are.

Increased knowledge does not automatically lead to a more positive attitude

It is often thought that knowledge breeds understanding and contributes to a positive attitude. But the survey shows that great knowledge about minorities is no longer obviously connected with a positive attitude towards support measures.

At the same time, increased knowledge is one of the survey's most important lessons for the future, according to Pesonen.

- We need to tell why these languages ​​are important and what significance they have, both for individuals and for society.