Universalism as a State Tradition in Norway and Its Impact on Language Policy Choices

doi:10.1017/9781009264747.004

2 - Universalism as a State Tradition in Norway and Its Impact on Language Policy Choices

from Part I - Routes of Change

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 November 2024

Edited by

Linda Cardinal and

Ericka Albaugh: Affiliation:
Bowdoin College, Maine
Linda Cardinal: Affiliation:
Université de l'Ontario français
Rémi Léger: Affiliation:
Simon Fraser University, British Columbia

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Summary

By analyzing government documents from 1885 to the present, the chapter first argues that the liberal movement’s introduction of parliamentary rule in Norway in 1884 was a critical juncture in the state’s language regime. During the union with Denmark (1380-1814), Danish replaced Norwegian as Norway’s written language. In 1885, parliament adopted official equality for a new written Norwegian language (Nynorsk) along with Dano-Norwegian (Bokmål). From 1885, The Liberal Party implemented language regulations, and was also the power behind welfare regulations that are often described as universal. Consequently, the state tradition of Norway has been labelled welfare state universalism. The chapter’s second objective is to explore how Norway’s language policy is related to the social welfare model, and to discuss whether the language regime can be considered universalist. The Labour Party came into office in 1935, completing welfare and language reforms introduced by The Liberal Party. The universalist regime was not challenged by any government of the last part of the century. However, parliament will probably adopt a general language law, and this has sparked a new debate on language rights. The chapter’s third objective is to discuss whether Norway’s linguistic universalism is currently at a critical juncture.

Keywords

Norway language policy Norwegian Nyorsk Bokmål Universalism welfare language rights

Type: Chapter
Information: States of Language Policy
Theorizing Continuity and Change
, pp. 29 - 48

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009264747.004 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2024

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