In this book Barbora Moormann-Kimáková analyses the possibility of finding an optimal language
regime in multinational and multiethnic countries - either by defining the contents of an
optimal language regime or with the help of a criterion enabling to evaluate whether a
language regime is optimal or not. The process of the selection or change of a language regime
often becomes a matter of a language-related conflict. These conflicts are mostly accompanied
by other political or social conflicts as for example in Ukraine or former Yugoslavia which
render solutions - and their evaluation - difficult. The author claims that language regimes
can be evaluated based on the increase or lack of their legitimacy in the eyes of the relevant
actors. This is demonstrated in four language regime studies on the European Union Soviet
Union Bosnia and Herzegovina and South Africa.
