The recognition of the right to language under international human rights is still an ongoing debate. By examining the nature, extent and adequacy of the protection according to linguistic rights in international human rights laws, this paper offers solutions for this ongoing debate. In addition to resolving the issues in international law, it also discusses the extent of protection accorded to linguistic rights in Mauritius as well as under the express linguistic and ethnic form of Ethiopian federalism. Compares the practice and language policies of Ethiopia and Mauritius in light of international standards and identifies further issues to be addressed. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2009. / Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Bissessur Pramod, Faculty of Law and Management, University of Mauritius. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM