The new language policy will replace the language policy guidelines of 2010.
Proposal for a new language policy
A committee led by Professor Helge Jordheim has proposed a new language policy for the University of Oslo. You can read more about the work leading up to the proposal on this page.
The proposal is in Norwegian only.
Download the proposal Norwegian only - (pdf, 211 kB)
Short summary in English
The aim of the proposal is to enhance UiO's ability to be an international leader in research while maintaining the institution's role in the Norwegian knowledge society.
The proposal describes UiO's linguistic diversity and the importance of language in research, teaching, and administration. Norwegian is and will continue to be the dominant language in teaching and administration, but English is the primary language of research.
Furthermore, the proposal discusses challenges associated with parallel language use, such as how to ensure the development of Norwegian technical terminology when research is often published in English. The document emphasises that language policy is an institutional responsibility and should not be left to individual employees or students.
Subsequently, the document presents the proposal for a new language policy, which are divided into the following sections:
- Overarching principles: This section asserts that the main language at UiO is Norwegian, but that English is the primary non-Scandinavian language. UiO should facilitate a balanced parallel language use between Norwegian and English.
- Education: Norwegian is the main language of instruction, but exceptions must be justified. International students should be offered Norwegian language courses.
- Research and dissemination: Researchers are free to choose their language, but UiO should facilitate dissemination in Norwegian.
- Administration: Norwegian is the language of administration, but more material should be translated to English.
- Work environment, democracy, and inclusion: The language policy should contribute to a positive work environment for everyone.
- Employment conditions: UiO should have an employment policy that accounts for linguistic diversity. New permanent academic staff without a Scandinavian language background are expected to learn Norwegian.
Finally, the document presents recommendations and measures to ensure the language policy is implemented in practice, such as improving the knowledge base on parallel language use, expanding course capacity, and supporting leaders and environments wishing to develop local language policies.
Provide input
The proposal for a new language policy is presented for consultation to the units in Ephorte, with the deadline 11 October.
Individuals can also provide input on the proposal, with the same deadline, 11 October.
You can upload documents in the form as well.
Responses and input
Responses to the consultation and input will be published on this page.
After the consultation, the university administration will finalize a document that will be presented to the University Board in early 2025.
Published consultations and input
Alexis Christine Carson (pdf, 126 kB)
Andrius Popovas (pdf, 201 kB)
Athanasios Protopapas (pdf, 148 kB)
Duncan Watts (pdf, 185 kB)
Elia Mmbaga (pdf, 129 kB)
Franziska Schoeb (pdf, 103 kB)
John Parker (pdf, 157 kB)
Nicola Strain (pdf, 123 kB)
Tony Tan (pdf, 133 kB)
Vira Dhaliwal (pdf, 127 kB)
Background
The current language policy guidelines were approved by the Rector in September 2010. Since then, new acts relating to language and to universities and university colleges is in place, and UiO has become more internationally oriented. Therefore, it was decided that the guidelines should be revised.
20 June 2023 the university board approved the process and working principles that the new language policy should address. Following this, the University of Oslo's rectorate established a committee to draft the new language policy. The committee worked from January to May 2024 and delivered their draft in May. Throughout the process, they collected input from the organisation through consultative meetings, discussions, and written submissions.
Working principles
The mandate contains some principles for the work that the new language policy should address.
- The university's language policy must be designed to maintain and develop the use of Norwegian language and terminology.
- At the same time, UiO's role as an internationally intensive research university must be maintained.
- Students are expected to know and use subject-specific language in both Norwegian and English, or another foreign language. Employees are expected to be proficient in both Norwegian and English.
- Work environment and integration require significant effort from both international employees and the employer.
- All international employees and students should be able to participate in university democracy.
- The overarching policy must be flexible enough to preserve the interests of different faculties.
- The language policy should be overarching, clear, and concise.
- If the committee suggests a policy that requires the organisation to evolve, it must suggest necessary actions to achieve this.
- The committee must propose how UiO can ensure that language policy is followed in practice.
- Economic consequences of the language policy must be considered.
Members of the committee
- Helge Jordheim (Chair), Professor, Faculty of Humanities
- Anniken Hotvedt Sundby, Research Fellow, Faculty of Educational Sciences
- Belinda Eikås Skjøstad, Principal Trade Union Offical of the Norwegian Association of Researchers at UiO
- Brita Langeid, Head of Office, Faculty of Social Sciences
- Hugo de Boer, Research Director, Natural History Museum
- Jan G. Bjaalie, Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medicine
- Solveig Martha Tynkkynen, university board representative in the Student Parliament