Høringssvar til NOU 2016 - 18 Vájmo giella Dato: 14.03.2017 Svartype: Med merknad Thank you and congratulations to the authors of the Norwegian Official Report 2016: 18 "Hjertespråket/Vaajmoegïele/Vájmo giella/Váibmogiella" for producing this important, time-critical and carefully crafted document. It is a welcome, comprehensive and sensitive work that will have positive effects for many years to come. The Saami languages are diverse, endangered indigenous languages that have been used for millennia in a very large geographical area crossing the modern borders of four states – Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. They are unique languages in both a European and a global context, and they stand out as distinctive in several significant ways when compared to all other languages that have been documented around the world. They have characteristics that challenge some of our most popular linguistic theories, and they can provide vital information about our species' unique language and cognitive abilities. Throughout their long history in Northwestern Europe, the various Saami languages have affected and been affected by one another and several non-Saami languages. Each Saami language and dialect bears with it important information about the development of previous and current social structures, norms and identities. They also contain information about nature, climate, history, use of natural resources, human migration and settlement patterns and contact among ethnic groups. Without ample study of these languages with respect to one another and other languages, it is impossible to develop an adequate picture either of Northwestern European history and cultures or of human language and cognition. Without measures to protect and develop the Saami languages, not only do the Saami people risk losing important parts of their historical, cultural and linguistic heritage, but Norway, the Nordic countries, Europe and the rest of the world do as well. I have very little to add to the discussions and recommendations contained in NOU 2016: 18. There are just two small things that I wish they had covered in more detail. The first issue has to do with the choice of languages included. Although it is understandable that the authors' mandate was to concentrate on the three Saami languages with active speaking communities in Norway (i.e. South Saami, Lule Saami and North Saami), there are other Saami languages (i.e. Ume Saami, Pite Saami, Sea Saami and Skolt Saami) that also have a historical connection in Norway and thus should have been addressed more carefully and extensively. This is particularly important since there are currently groups trying to (re)vitalize those languages, and a more thorough discussion would have made them more visible and perhaps could have given moral support to the communities to which they belong. The second issue has to do with politicization of terminology. NOU 2016: 18 is very careful to acknowledge the long history and great diversity of the Saami languages as distinct languages rather than dialects of a single language. It is consistent in discussing "de samiske språkene", and it uses the standardized names for individual Saami languages, e.g. "máttasámegiella", "julevsámegiella" and "davvisámegiella". This is in line with the expert evaluation of linguists, as well as the terminology used by the Norwegian government, the European Union and the United Nations. Unfortunately, there are certain individuals, groups, organizations and institutions that continue to use the outdated and/or politically motivated singular form of the noun, and they do not use the standardized names for the individual languages. Instead, they refer to "det samiske språket" and/or "sámegiella". This seems to be particularly prevalent in domains involving/dominated by those who speak the majority Saami language, North Saami (e.g. certain journalists at NRK Sápmi, some working in the Norwegian Saami Parliament, some working at cultural centers and some involved in education). It seems that the authors of NOU 2016: 18 missed an opportunity when they did not make stronger statements/recommendations about the necessity for those working with Saami languages to use standard terminology that embraces existing linguistic diversity. This could have helped clear up current inconsistencies/confusion, better educate the general public and lift the status of minority Saami languages and make them more visible. I wholeheartedly support NOU 2016: 18, and I look forward to seeing the Norwegian government and other institutions and organizations both take it seriously and implement the many concrete proposals that it makes. NOU 2016: 18 provides guidance for moving forward toward a future in which all of Norway's rich and diverse cultural heritage is acknowledged, safeguarded, developed and treasured. Kommunal- og distriktsdepartementet Til høringen Til toppen <div class="page-survey" data-page-survey="133" data-page-survey-api="/api/survey/SubmitPageSurveyAnswer" data-text-hidden-title="Tilbakemeldingsskjema" data-text-question="Fant du det du lette etter?"
