Norway

Summary

Official Name: Kingdom of Norway
Population: 5,420,000
Principal Languages: Norwegian
Literacy Rate: 100% (Roser and Ortiz-Ospina 2018)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ECRML (1992), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), (), UNCRPD (2006)
General References: Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987, Stephens 1976
Deaf Population: 5,000
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Norway is 13. Of these, 12 are living and 1 is extinct. Of the living languages, 7 are indigenous and 5 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 4 are institutional, 2 are developing, 2 are in trouble, and 4 are dying. Also listed are 47 unestablished languages.

Languages

Albanian, Gheg aln: Users: 16,600 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Gheg
Amharic amh: Users: 12,400 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Transversal, Amharic-Argobba
Arabic, Mesopotamian Spoken acm: Users: 13,500 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Moroccan Spoken ary: Users: 10,900 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc: Users: 41,600 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, North Mesopotamian Spoken ayp: Users: 7,630 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, South Levantine Spoken ajp: Users: 5,360 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Sudanese Spoken apd: Users: 6,350 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Bosnian bos: Users: 18,700 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Bulgarian bul: Users: 8,430 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Burmese mya: Users: 4,220 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Burmish, Southern
Chinese, Mandarin cmn: Users: 13,300 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese
Croatian hrv: Users: 6,320 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Czech ces: Users: 2,590 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Danish dan: Scattered. Users: 20,800 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Danish-Riksmal, Danish
Dutch nld: Users: 9,100 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
English eng: Widespread. Users: 4,660,600 in Norway, all users. L1 users: 30,600 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 4,630,000 (2019). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Engelsk Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Estonian, Standard ekk: Users: 5,250 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic, Finnic
Finnish fin: Users: 7,370 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic, Finnic
Finnish, Kven fkv: Finnmark and Troms counties: Kveeniland, Ruija; Tromso; Cities: Alta, Borselv, Bygoynes, Kvaenangsbotn, Neiden, Nordreisa, Oteren, Skibotn, Storslett, and Vadso. Users: 1,500 (Laakso et al 2013). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Kainu, Kainun kieli, Kveenin, Kveenin kieli, Kven, Kvensk, Kvääna, North Finnish Autonym: Kvääni, Kväänin kieli Classification: Uralic, Finnic
French fra: Scattered. Users: 162,500 in Norway, all users. L1 users: 16,500 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 146,000 (2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
German, Standard deu: Users: 30,200 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Greek ell: Users: 3,730 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Hungarian hun: Users: 4,800 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic
Icelandic isl: Users: 7,930 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, West Scandinavian
Italian ita: Users: 5,400 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Korean kor: Users: 7,670 in Norway (2019 Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Koreanic
Kurdish, Northern kmr: Users: 5,830 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish
Latvian, Standard lvs: Users: 12,900 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Lithuanian lit: Users: 48,600 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Baltic, Eastern
Macedonian mkd: Users: 4,550 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Eastern
Nepali npi: Users: 2,640 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Eastern, Eastern Pahari
Norwegian nor: Users: 5,190,000 in Norway (2017). Total users in all countries: 5,309,020. Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Autonym: Norsk Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Danish-Bokmal
Norwegian Sign Language nsl: Scattered. Users: 5,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated, assuming 0.1% of the total population. Other estimates vary: 2,500 sign language users (2021 EUD); 4,000 (Van Cleve 1986); 5,000 (2010 Norwegian Association of the Deaf); 22,000 deaf (2014 IMB). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: NTS, Norsk Tegnspråk Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Norwegian, Traveller rmg: Sør-Trøndelag county: south of Trondheim. Users: 100 (Carling et al 2014). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Norwegian Traveller, Rodi, Scandoromani Classification: Mixed language, Norwegian-Romani
Persian, Iranian pes: Users: 23,800 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian
Polish pol: Users: 117,000 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Portuguese por: Users: 10,700 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Romani, Vlax rmy: Oslo county. Users: 500 in Norway (Johnstone 1993). Ethnic population: 3,500. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Rom Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
Romanian ron: Users: 20,100 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Users: 22,600 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Saami, Lule smj: Nordland county: Folden, Hamaroy, and Tysfjord. Users: 500 in Norway (Krauss 1992). 1,000–2,000 speakers in Norway and Sweden (Salminen 2007). Ethnic population: 1,000 (1995 M. Krauss). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Julevusámegiella, Lule, Saame Classification: Uralic, Sami, Western, Northern
Saami, North sme: Finnmark, Troms counties; Nordland county: Ofoten. Users: 20,000 in Norway (Laakso et al 2013). Ethnic population: 30,000 (1995 M. Krauss). Total users in all countries: 25,700. Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Sami Administrative District (1987, Sami Act, No. 12, Article 3). Alternate Names: North Sámi, Northern Saami, Saami, Same, Samic, “Lapp” (pej.), “Northern Lappish” (pej.), “Norwegian Lapp” (pej.) Autonym: Sámegiella Classification: Uralic, Sami, Western, Northern
Saami, Pite sje: Nordland county: between Saltenfjord and Ranenfjord. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Pite, “Lapp” (pej.) Classification: Uralic, Sami, Western, Northern
Saami, Skolt sms: Troms og Finnmark county: Sør-Varanger municipality. Users: No known L1 speakers in Norway. Status: 10 (Extinct). Classification: Uralic, Sami, Eastern
Saami, South sma: Hedmark county: near Femunden and Rostvolden; Nord-Trøndelag county: southwest of Linneset. Users: 300 in Norway (Krauss 1992). Ethnic population: 600. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Saami, Same, Samic, Åarjelsaemiengïele, “Northern Lappish” (pej.), “Norwegian Lapp” (pej.) Classification: Uralic, Sami, Western, Southern
Saami, Ume sju: Nordland county: Rana municipality. Users: No known L1 speakers in Norway (Salminen 2007). Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Ubmejensámien giella, Umesamisk Classification: Uralic, Sami, Southern
Serbian srp: Users: 9,290 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Sinhala sin: Users: 15,800 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Southern, Sinhalese-Maldivian
Slovak slk: Users: 4,320 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Somali som: Users: 43,600 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
Spanish spa: Users: 51,300 in Norway, all users. L1 users: 27,300 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 24,000 (Instituto Cervantes 2019). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Swedish swe: Users: 39,000 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Swedish
Tagalog tgl: Users: 26,300 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Greater Central Philippine, Central Philippine, Tagalog
Thai tha: Users: 22,700 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Tigrigna tir: Users: 30,200 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, North
Turkish tur: Users: 18,600 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 7,240 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Urdu urd: Users: 39,300 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Western Hindi, Hindustani
Vietnamese vie: Users: 23,800 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Vietnamese

Maps

Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Norway with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Norway is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Norway with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Norway is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Norway in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Norway ($149.95, 25 page PDF)

Norway

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action