"And for the Flemish, the same thing": what translation policy for which linguistic minorities?

Research on language policies in multilingual societies remains surprisingly silent about the key role of translation policies. This paper argues that any language policy presupposes a translation policy. Drawing on various examples of language and translation regulations and struggles in (mainly) Belgium and other countries, it tries to illustrate how, in a context of expanding globalization, of encounters of diverse cultures and ethnicities, various translation policies condition and regulate the presence of minority languages in the public sphere. They consequently codetermine the minorities' linguistic, cultural, social, political, economic... rights. Large-scale future research on translation policies in past and present societies should enhance societies' awareness of translation's key role in these fundamental issues and allow for research-based solutions. This a new challenge for Translation Studies.