Can policies improve language vitality? The Sámi languages in Sweden and Norway

Abstract

IntroductionLanguage policies are often aimed at changing language behaviours, yet it is notoriously difficult to assess their effects. This study investigates language use and competence in the Indigenous Sámi populations of Norway and Sweden in light of the national-level policies the two countries have adopted.MethodsWe provide a cross-country comparison of relevant educational, linguistic and budgetary policies in Sweden and Norway. Next, we present novel data from a survey with 5,416 Sámi and non-Sámi participants in 20 northern municipalities, examining Sámi language use and proficiencies across generations and contexts. Lexical proficiency in North Sámi was tested in a small subset of participants.ResultsSámi language use has dropped considerably over the past three generations. Only a small proportion of Sámi are highly fluent and use a Sámi language with their children (around 4% in Sweden and 11% in Norway). One fifth of Sámi adults use a Sámi language at least ‘occasionally’, and use is most common in the home context. Sámi language knowledge remains negligible in the majority population.DiscussionThe higher levels of language use and proficiency in Norway seem at least in part to reflect the more favourable policies adopted there. In both countries, more work is needed to increase speaker numbers, also in the majority population.

Divided Attitudes Toward Rectifying Injustice: How Preferences for Indigenous Policies Differ Between the Indigenous and Majority Populations of Norway and Sweden

“…As becomes apparent in the course of this article, current Norwegian Sámi policies are more advanced in realizing Sámi's rights to land and natural resources than Swedish and apply to the entire Norwegian Sámi population (see also Allard 2011). Likewise, they also facilitate Sámi's rights to use and maintain their Indigenous languages more assertively (see also Lloyd-Smith et al 2023). Combined with the above-mentioned greater self-governance capacity of the Norwegian Sámi Parliament, a consistent picture emerges illustrating the comparatively higher level of Sámi rights recognition in Norway.…”