Languages of Norway

Languages of Norway
Name	Languages of Norway
Region	Kingdom of Norway
Family	Indo-European (Germanic, Uralic), Sign language
Child1	Norwegian (Bokmål, Nynorsk)
Child2	Sami languages
Child3	Kven
Child4	Romani
Child5	Scandoromani
Child6	Norwegian Sign Language

Languages of Norway. The linguistic landscape of the Kingdom of Norway is characterized by a dominant national language with two written standards, alongside several historic minority languages and a diversity of spoken dialects. This situation stems from the country's history, including its union with Denmark, its cultural revival in the 19th century, and the presence of indigenous and national minority groups. Language use and policy in Norway are shaped by legislation such as the Language Act of Norway and overseen by bodies like the Norwegian Language Council.

Official languages

The official language of Norway is Norwegian, which exists in two mutually intelligible written forms: Bokmål and Nynorsk. Bokmål, derived from the Danish language used during the union with Denmark, is the more widely used standard, particularly in urban areas like Oslo and eastern Norway. Nynorsk, constructed in the 19th century by linguist Ivar Aasen based on rural Norwegian dialects, holds official parity and is promoted in areas of western Norway and the fjords. Both forms are used in all government communications, the Storting, and public broadcasting by NRK. The Norwegian state does not designate a spoken standard, leaving pronunciation to local dialect.

Recognized minority languages

Several languages are afforded protection under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The Sami languages, indigenous to Northern Norway, constitute one such group with specific legal rights detailed in the Sami Act. Kven, a Finnic language spoken by descendants of migrants from Finland and Tornedalia, received recognition in 2005. Two Romani varieties are recognized: the Romani language of the Norwegian and Swedish Travellers, and Scandoromani, a mixed language. Additionally, Norwegian Sign Language, used by the deaf community, has official status under the Language Act of Norway.

Sami languages

The Sami languages, part of the Uralic family, are spoken by the Sami people across Sápmi. Three are spoken in Norway: Northern Sami, Lule Sami, and Southern Sami. Their rights are enshrined in the Sami Act and the Finnmark Act, guaranteeing their use in municipalities like Kautokeino and Karasjok within the Finnmark county. Key institutions include the Sami Parliament of Norway in Karasjok and the Sami University of Applied Sciences. Historical assimilation policies, such as those following the Norwegianization of the Sami, have impacted language vitality, leading to ongoing revitalization efforts.

Norwegian dialects

Norway exhibits remarkable dialectal diversity, with variations often corresponding to geographic regions separated by mountains and fjords. Major groups include Eastern Norwegian dialects, Western Norwegian dialects, Trøndersk in the Trondheim region, and Northern Norwegian dialects. Dialects remain a strong marker of local identity, used freely in public life, media like NRK, and even in the Storting. This tolerance is supported by the Norwegian Language Council. Notable dialect studies were pioneered by linguists like Ivar Aasen and later by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.

Foreign languages

English proficiency in Norway is exceptionally high, a result of teaching from early schooling, media exposure, and the influence of the British Council. Swedish and Danish are widely comprehensible due to mutual intelligibility among North Germanic languages, facilitated by the Nordic Language Convention. Other immigrant languages with significant speaker communities include Urdu, Somali, Arabic, and Polish, reflecting post-war migration patterns. Languages like German, French, and Spanish are commonly taught as second foreign languages in schools.

Language policy and education

National language policy is primarily governed by the Language Act of Norway and the Education Act. The Norwegian Language Council advises on matters concerning Bokmål, Nynorsk, and minority languages. In education, pupils learn both written standards, with one as a primary and the other as a secondary language. The Sami Parliament of Norway oversees Sami-language instruction in the Sami school district. For adult immigrants, Norwegian language training is provided through programs like those from the Directorate of Integration and Diversity. Norway's adherence to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities further guides its legislative approach.

Category:Languages of Norway Category:Norwegian culture