Language discrimination in politics

Active political prejudice on basis of language
Prejudicial treatment of linguistic minorities in government

Nature

Citizens of a country may be denied the right to vote because they cannot pass a literacy test in a language which is not their mother tongue. This requirement gives advantages to members of the dominant language group and serves as a way to exclude non-members from participation in government. Language tests for immigration may be more lenient than those for voting. This kind of discrimination may affect naturalized immigrants or members of a plural society.

Background

Language discrimination in politics emerged as a recognized global issue during decolonization, when newly independent states grappled with linguistic diversity and nation-building. The problem gained prominence through international debates on minority rights, notably at the United Nations and in European institutions. Over time, cases such as the marginalization of regional languages in Spain and the suppression of indigenous languages in Latin America highlighted the persistent political consequences of linguistic exclusion and fueled ongoing advocacy for linguistic justice.

Incidence

Constitutions of multilingual societies such as Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Lesotho, Sierra Leone and Uganda require the command of English for election to the central legislative; while French is mandatory in Cameroon, Congo, Mali, and Niger.

Claim

Language discrimination in politics is a deeply troubling and urgent issue. When politicians or institutions marginalize individuals based on their language, they undermine democracy, silence diverse voices, and perpetuate inequality. This exclusion not only erodes trust in government but also denies entire communities their rightful place in public life. Addressing language discrimination is essential for true representation, social justice, and the health of any democratic society. Ignoring it is simply unacceptable.

Counter-claim

So many languages are spoken in the world (upwards of 2,500) and so many language groups are so small (consisting perhaps of only a few hundred persons) that they can scarcely all have equal status. Sufficient ground for differentiation exists, so differentiation is inevitable.