The authors describe the dcbate concerning the language question and the cultural dominance of French in the Flemish part of Belgium in its historic development up to the present. During the past centuries and even well into our times, the use of French served as an instrument of social differentiation Due to both activities of different Flemish movements and a shift of economic power from Wallonia to Flanders, Dutch gained in importance. In both the cultural and the political scctor, in schools and in universities, languages were now distributed according to the regional principal. A region's language finally became the language of instruction. However, conflicts concerning cultural autonomy and the federalization of social life continue to determine the political discussion in Belgium.