1. Challenges for medium sized language communities: a multilingual cities perspective An overview of the situation of Dutch in Brussels Philippe Hambye Centre de recherche Valibel – Discours et Variation Institut Langage & Communication Université de Louvain Barcelona, 30th septembre 2010

2. The linguistic repertoire: facts and figures

3. Use of languages in Brussels Figures from a 2005 survey amongst 2500 speakers (Janssens 2007, 2008) Declared knowledge of languages (good or perfect)

4. Use of languages in Brussels French96%Portuguese2% English35%Turkish1% Dutch28%Lingala1% Greek1% Spanish7%Russian0,5% German6%Amazigh0,3% Italian6% Arabic6%

5. Demolinguistic balance in Brussels Language spoken at home

6. Demolinguistic balance in Brussels French57% Dutch7% French + Dutch9% French + other11% Other16%

7. Social distribution of languages in Brussels French as a lingua franca in Brussels Weak position of Dutch in Brussels (60% of Dutch- speakers in Belgium) The demolinguistic ratio do not reflect the importance of Dutch - due to its official status - due to its major role in the workplace

8. Social distribution of languages in Brussels English gaining ground ?

9. Migration movements Increasing number of languages (1999 > 2005) 95% of newcomers learn French rather than Dutch Municipalities with a high rate of immigrants in Brussels have the highest birthrate in Belgium

10. Migration movements Foreigners in Brussels in 2008

11. Migration movements France46006Roumanie8741 Maroc39101Royaume-Uni8607 Italie26695Congo-Kinshasa7955 Espagne19210Grèce7780 Pologne15697Pays-Bas6750 Turquie10667Japon3129 Allemagne8886États-Unis3083

12. Migration movements Bulgarie2452 Algérie2338 Suède2336 Chine2071 Cameroun2049 Serbie/Mont.1990

13. Integration policies Houses of Dutch Non Dutch-speakers as a priority group in primary schools Some initiatives to use/promote immigrant languages No political measures on the Francophone side

14. Attitudes Multilingualism as a richness, bilingualism as a necessity Negative attitudes towards the Flemish community, esp. amongst newcomers

15. Linguistic landscape and services

16. Linguistic landscape Brussels is officially bilingual, mainly French-speaking, and largely multilingual No regulation of signage in the private sector - French only - Official bilingualism - English with/without French/French-Dutch - + immigrant languages - « non languages » BOZAR (beaux-arts/schone kunsten)

17. Linguistic landscape Brussels is officially bilingual, mainly French-speaking, and largely multilingual No regulation of signage in the private sector - French only - Official bilingualism - English with/without French/French-Dutch - + immigrant languages - « non languages » CINEMATEK (cinémathèque/cinemateek)

18. Linguistic landscape Brussels is officially bilingual, mainly French-speaking, and largely multilingual No regulation of signage in the private sector - French only - Official bilingualism - English with/without French/French-Dutch - + immigrant languages - « non languages » KIOSK (kiosque/kiosk)

19. Linguistic landscape Brussels is officially bilingual, mainly French-speaking, and largely multilingual No regulation of signage in the private sector - French only - Official bilingualism - English with/without French/French-Dutch - + immigrant languages - « non languages » BOOTIK (boutique/boetiek)

21. Public services All public services in both official languages Compulsory : not a political choice Double monolingualism Ratio at the advantage of Dutch speakers

22. Private services Language use highly variable (// signage) Dutch more present in services provided to Flemish workers (ex. restaurants) English for international services (hotels, tourism, airport)

23. Brussels within Belgium: a microcosm ?

24. Brussels a microcosm ? Coexistence of two monolingual communities One of the few place where people experience bilingualism The only place where an bicultural identity emerges Political debate concerning this exceptional status of Brussels

25. Education and multilingualism 50% of Dutch speakers in Brussels learned it at school Quality of language learning still matters Reluctance on the Flemish side to promote bilingual education