Norwegian language needs protection, say academics

Lack of requirements means most international scientists stick with English, laments group of linguists

Four Norwegian linguists have implored the government to offer more support to the national language in academic institutions, saying that English is becoming “predominant”.

In an article published in the Bergens Tidende newspaper, the academics said that international staff and students have normalised the use of English in Norway’s universities. They pointed to research showing that existing language rules—asking academics to use “Norwegian when you can and English when you must”—are either not understood well or being ignored.