Nationalism is alive and well. While its focus has changed from interstate (e.g., France or Germany) to intrastate, as in Flanders or Wales, the idea is thriving. Language has always been an essential element of nationalism, providing a distinctive feature and source of pride for a collective people. The ability to communicate with one another is essential to building bridges between strangers and forging the idea of a “nation,” which instills the idea of unity among a people that have never met. This is why efforts at nation-building, employed by the core or dominant state, place a premium on homogenizing language as linguistic differences can isolate the periphery from the core and form a basis for nationalism to take root. Read More | Comments