Law, Language and the Multilingual State includes 16 papers that were presented at the Twelfth International Conference of the International Academy for Linguistic Law, co-presented with the Department of Language Management and Language Practice (University of the Free State), that took place November 2010 at Thaba ‘Nchu, South Africa. The conference also highlighted a colloquium, Language legislation and litigation, that focused specifically on the South African context. This book is a collection of writings by experts in the multilingual field and emphasises challenges that societies face. Issues such as the drafting and implementation of legislation, the degree and forms of state intervention and the functioning of support structures are addressed. Related issues such as globalisation and diversity, language rights, ideology and legislation, as well as minority and indigenous languages are also discussed. A truly multilingual state requires linguistic equality and language rights. This book contributes to the promotion and protection of linguistic diversity.