U.S. English Foundation Research
NORWAY
Language Research
4. Minority groups: To what extent are minority groups in this country disadvantaged by their language?
NYNORSK
Nynorsk is not a minority language, in fact; it is only spoken a smaller percentage of Norwegians and using it does not disadvantage its speakers. However, there were some problems with Nynorsk as a school language such as a shortage of textbooks in many subjects. After several years of lobbying from Nynorsk organizations, the Primary School Act of 1969 stated that all textbooks for public primary schools were to be published in both a Bokmål and Nynorsk version at the same time and the same price. The same principle was introduced for secondary schools five years later.
Some people remained opposed to Nynorsk, although they were obliged to study it at school as a secondary language, so it was necessary to adopt a law to secure the rights of Nynorsk users in dealing with the authorities. Such a Law was passed by Parliament in 1930, stating that officials were obliged to use both variants according to regulations given by the government. The rules were continually broken and Nynorsk remained in a subordinate position. The more detailed Language Law from 1980 tried to solve that situation.
SAMI
At the end of the 1800s teachers were instructed to restrict the use of the Sami language in the schools. From 1902 and onwards, it was forbidden to sell land to anyone who could not speak Norwegian. After World War II Norwegian policy towards the Sami changed significantly. In the 1960s, the Sami's rights to develop their culture were officially acknowledged.
Since 1980, the legal status of the native inhabitants of Norway has been considerably improved. This change in attitude was reflected in Article 110 a of the Norwegian Constitution ratified in 1988 as follows: "It is the responsibility of the authorities of the state to create conditions enabling the Sami to preserve and develop its language, culture and way of life."
Top of page
|
