One aspect of linguistic imperialism has been the systematic attempt to eradicate minority languages within the sphere of a nation's or state's power. Thus Gregor (1980, p. 340) can quote the French MinisterofEducation who stated in 1925 that "For the unity of France the Breton language must die". The Times can also be quoted for its disparaging attitude towards Welsh when it says in 1866 that "the Welsh language is ... the curse of Wales ... its prevelance and the ignorance of the English language have excluded the Welsh people from the civilisation of their English neighbours" (quoted after Stephens, 1978, p. 159). Part of this policy of eradication was the exclusive use of the dominant language in education, although this was often coupled with the genuine belief that education in a minority language was detrimental to a child's development. Thus Billigmeier (1979, p. 338) quotes a teacher from Trin (Switzerland) who writes:
The school inspector, ... , would not let an inspection conclude without emphasizing to the teachers, to the school board, and to the students that Romansh was an impediment to instruction and that it must be eliminated as quickly as possible.