Exploring the Dynamics of Multilingualism The DYLAN Project

Summary: Starting from the central DYLAN question as to the conditions under which Europeans consider multilingualism as an advantage or as a drawback, the present chapter primarily discusses the historical aspects of European multilingualism. Methodically, many of the aspects dealt with are based on an analytical grid which illustrates the interrelations between the four research areas: "domains", "language attitudes", "language policies" and "contexts". The fifth area "tranversal issues" (Geneva, Vienna, Berlin) and especially the aims of the Berlin research team run at right angles to this, touching.