In a new evaluation report, the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, recommends as a matter of priority, that the Norwegian authorities improve the means for revitalisation and development of the most endangered minority languages; Kven, Lule Sámi and South Sámi, Romanes and Romani.
While Norway is one of the four OECD countries that have the highest rate of public funding in education and the financing of schools is well ensured, there is room for improvement of teaching materials, including digital materials, and teacher training recruitment concerning minority languages. Especially, the authorities should monitor the demand for teaching of Sámi languages at each level of education, from kindergarten to higher education. They should also take measures to strengthen the recruitment to Kven and Sámi teacher training.
The languages of Kven, Lule Sámi, South Sámi, Romanes and Romani are in the process of being lost as a mother tongue/first language by younger generations. One contributing reason is that the requirements for students who do Kven or Sámi as a second language are higher than for students of a foreign language, resulting in many students opting not to continue studying the regional or minority languages.
In addition, there is a need for a more effective awareness-raising of Kven, Lule Sámi, Romanes, Romani, and South Sámi as minority languages in Norway. The knowledge about them and the cultures they represent should be part of the objectives and practices of kindergarten, primary and two levels of secondary education, teacher training, journalist training and media in all parts of Norway.
The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is the European convention for the protection and promotion of languages used by traditional minorities. Norway was the first state to ratify the Charter in 1993 and it entered into force in Norway in 1998.
This eighth evaluation report by the Committee of Experts is based on the political and legal situation prevailing at the time of the Committee of Experts’ on-the-spot visit to Norway in August 2021. The report also includes comments from the Norwegian authorities.
Text of the Charter
