Progress has been made while promoting regional and minority languages in Norway, such as the Sami languages, Kven/Finnish and Romani/Romanes, according to a report published today by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Almost all undertakings are fulfilled concerned the North Sami language but difficulties persist with the use of special characters in public registers and the use of Sami in social care facilities.
As a matter of priority, the Committee of Experts recommends that the Norwegian authorities implement a structured policy for Kven/Finnish, protects and promotes the Sami in education and media as well as in hospitals and retirements homes.
Furthermore, the Committee recommends that the authorities develop a strategy and take measures to promote Romani/Romanes and provide teaching at all appropriate levels.
Norway was the first State to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 1993 and it entered into force in Norway in 1998.
This seventh 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 October 2017 and it is published together with the comments from the Norwegian authorities.
