Language Policy and the Paradox of Multilingual Harmony in Switzerland

This book examines language policy in Switzerland to explore how multilingualism is organized, governed, and experienced in everyday life. Focusing on education and public institutions, it shows how a system widely praised for managing linguistic diversity also produces tensions, hierarchies, and unequal forms of participation. Drawing on policy documents and interviews with educators and policymakers, the book traces how federalism, territoriality, and ideas of linguistic equality shape language practices across regions. The chapters examine the growing role of English, the marginalization of heritage languages, and the gap between symbolic recognition and meaningful inclusion. Situating the Swiss case within broader debates on language policy, migration, and social cohesion, the book speaks to scholars, students, and practitioners interested in multilingualism, education policy, and democratic governance. Anna Becker is a researcher in applied linguistics and comparative education whose work focuses on multilingualism, mobility, and epistemic justice in higher education. She has held research positions in Switzerland, Germany, and Poland, including a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship, and is the founder of the US-based nonprofit International Scholars Alliance.