Since regaining their independence from the Soviet Union, the Baltic states have adopted far‐reaching language policies as a crucial element in national reconstruction and transition from a Soviet system. Such policies now raise profound issues in the extremely complicated and politically sensitive social and linguistic situation of the Baltic states. A consistent Soviet policy of demographic mobility has brought to the Baltic states (particularly Estonia and Latvia) a substantial population with very diverse responses to newly reclaimed independence, and to the social and linguistic policies now being pursued by these national governments.