Für ein «aufgeklärtes Sprachbewußtsein»: Eröffnung einer Debatte

Abstract

This article is a short reaction to the preceding article by Guillem Calaforra on defining the extension of a given language and the use of the argumentum ex auctoritate in relation to the Valencian linguistic secessionism movement.  It extends the question of unificaction- vs. secessionist-movements to other cases and advocates for an "enlightened language awareness" on behalf of linguists engaging in public debates on these questions. Linguists, it is argued, have the right to participate in these debates and their professional authority must be recognised; they should, however, not use this authority in a way that might endanger the inherently dialogical nature of public debate.