Contested Languages and Perception of Multilingualism: A Sociolinguistic Study of Poland and Italy

Most European states, including Poland and Italy, have diverse linguistic composition, yet only a fraction of their language varieties receive official recognition and support. While the EU promotes linguistic diversity, unrecognised forms – such as immigrant languages, some minority languages, and dialects – often lack protection and public awareness. This study, framed within folk linguistics, examines perceptions of multilingualism in Poland and Italy through an online questionnaire. By analysing how respondents classify and name language varieties such as ‘dialects’ and ‘minority languages’, we assess the impact of official recognition on social perception. Our findings reveal that ‘contested languages’ contribute to the perceived multilingualism of Poland and Italy and explore how lack of recognition may lead to marginalisation, reducing chances for legal protection and support. Understanding these perceptions helps sociolinguists and policymakers grasp dominant language ideologies and their implications for language planning.