Språkrådet is the state's consultative body on language issues. It follows up Norway's language policy on assignment for the Ministry of Culture and Equality.
In the bill on the Language Act, it is emphasised that Norwegian shall be safeguarded as a complete language, serving and uniting our society. Furthermore, it is stated that everyone residing in Norway over time should be able to learn and use the Norwegian language, and that participation in Norwegian democracy “presupposes a certain level of proficiency in Norwegian” ((Prop. 108 L (2019–2020), p. 19). In line with this, Norwegian as a means of access to democracy and citizenship, as well as to social and working life, is one of the main priorities in Språkrådet’s strategy for 2025–2028 (Språkrådet, 2025b). It is also a strategic priority for the Language Council to generate insight into access to the Norwegian language across different sectors and groups.
In this presentation, Jenny Gudmunsen and Hilde Thyness, representatives of Språkrådet, will first present key findings from a report on the available knowledge on Norwegian language training for different immigrant groups and on their Norwegian language skills (Språkrådet, 2025a). Second, insights from two roundtable seminars on the topic immigration, Norwegian language and work will be shared.
References:
Prop. 108 L (2019–2020). Lov om språk (språklova). Kulturdepartementet. https://www.regjeringen.no/no/dokumenter/prop.-108-l 20192020/id2701451/
Språkrådet. (2025a). Norskopplæring og norskferdigheter blant ulike innvandrergrupper (Språkrådet rapport Innsikt). Språkrådet. (2025b). Strategi for Språkrådet 2025–2028. https://sprakradet.no/om-sprakradet/organisering/strategi-for-sprakradet
Presenter bios:
Hilde Thyness holds a PhD from the University of Inland Norway. In her dissertation, she investigated the role of langauge practices and digital interaction for processes of inclusion and exclusion in parent-teacher relationships in multilingaul contexts. Since November 2025, she has worked as a Senior Adviser at the Language Council of Norway with main responsibility for the area of language and inclusion.
Jenny Gudmundsen holds a PhD from MultiLing at the University of Oslo. Her research deals with interactions between first and second-language users of Norwegian in language cafés. Since November 2024, she has worked as a Senior Adviser at the Language Council of Norway, first in the area of language and inclusion, and more recently with insights and analysis more broadly.