While positive developments have been noticed to protect minority languages in Norway, urgent measures are still needed to protect the languages in the most precarious situation. These are the conclusions of a new evaluation report published by the committee of experts of the European Charter for regional or minority languages, together with comments from the Norwegian authorities.
Sami languages in Norway
Norway was the first state to ratify the charter in 1993, and after entering into force in 1998. It applies to the following Norwegian languages: Kven, Lule Sami, North Sami, Romanes, Romani, and South Sami.
The report welcomes several positive steps, including the development of the legislative framework, demonstrating a commitment to further protect and promote minority languages in Norway. However, the Committee of Experts notes that the most widely used Sami language, North Sami, is still in a precarious situation, and both Lule Sami and South Sami, with fewer users, face even more serious challenges.
There is also a severe shortage of educational materials for Lule Sami and South Sami speakers and there is a need to strengthen teacher training for all Sami languages in general.
The committee of experts also points out that Lule Sami and South Sami are not used before the courts and are rarely used in relations with administrative authorities. Therefore, it recommends that Norway takes further measures to reinforce the use of these languages before judicial and administrative authorities as well as in the media.
Kven, Romanes and Romani also need protection
Concerning Kven, the report notes progress on strengthening its presence in public life, cultural activities and education. Nevertheless, the Committee of Experts recommends that authorities improve the media offer in Kven and take further actions to increase the teaching of Kven at all levels of education, particularly at pre-school and upper secondary levels.
Finally, there is a need for proactive measures to protect Romanes and Romani. These languages are almost invisible in public life and media and are not taught in formal education.
This ninth evaluation report 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 2025. It aims at enabling speakers of traditional minority or reginal languages to use them both in private and public life and obliges the States Parties to actively promote the use of these languages in education, courts, administration, media, culture, economic and social life, and cross-border co-operation.
