The social structure of the area
- In many areas where one finds a declining minority language, one of the principal reasons for its decline is a change in the social structure. This can have direct consequences for the schools in the area. As linguistic minority areas are often rural and attractive holiday spots, e.g. Wales, Scotland, Brittany, North and West Frisia, this leads to tourism. As the rural areas are often economically underdeveloped the tourism brings a welcome influx of jobs and wealth and many inhabitants become dependent upon tourism for their living. However, the tourists introduce the dominant language into the community and strengthen its position there. In addition, a larger labour force is often needed for the "season" than can be culled from the area itself, which again means introducing speakers of the dominant language into the community. In both instances mixed marriages are often the result whereby the' member of the linguistic minority usually gives up his or her mother tongue in favour of the dominant language.·