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“It is natural to associate the concepts of territory and of language, even if only in view of the concept of the Nation State.” However, if we analyse the relation between the two, we find a more nuanced view. During this short interview, Claude Hagège kindly responded to Inflexions’ questions on this subject. Apart from our daily use of it, language is often experienced as a symbol of identity. As such, Hagège highlights the importance of linguistic transmission, tackles the issue of bilingualism, and that of the instrumentalising of languages in relation to independence, annexationist or centralist movements. He draws on a few examples, including Tibetan, Kurdish, Breton, French and revolutionary language, Norman French and Arabic. An interview inherently invites us to pursue our questioning on the ideas of Europe and globalisation, and on the use of language in the armed forces and alliances.