Language Policy Guidelines for OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University
The three main objectives of OsloMet are teaching, research, and dissemination of knowledge. Conscious use of language and appropriate use of parallel language are necessary to achieve the university's goals. OsloMet's language policy guidelines identify areas of responsibility and objectives in language-related work.
The guidelines aim to highlight OsloMet's responsibility for maintaining and developing Norwegian as a language for specific purposes. Various types of linguistic competencies contribute to OsloMet's role as a practice-oriented university with an international focus. Research is international and will primarily be published in English. Research particularly relevant in the Norwegian context can reach a broader audience by being available in Norwegian. It is essential for both students, academic staff, and society that new knowledge is disseminated through the Norwegian language. To succeed in both areas, OsloMet employees must contribute to language development in Norwegian and English, with awareness of the interactions between them. OsloMet shall facilitate possibilities for employees and students to acquire the language skills necessary for the university to conduct education and research at a high international level.
The language policy guidelines were established by Rector 27 October 2023.
Main principles
- Norwegian (bokmål, nynorsk and Norwegian sign language) is the main language at OsloMet.
- In parallel with Norwegian, English is used as the main language where appropriate. The use of parallel language is encouraged, for example in communication with OsloMet's international target audiences.
- OsloMet shall promote use of plain language. Employees and students are to use correct, clear, and user-oriented language in the texts we produce at the university.
- OsloMet shall facilitate opportunities for students and employees to enhance their proficiency in Norwegian and English by offering, providing information about, and facilitating relevant language courses.
- Students and employees have a personal responsibility to take advantage of language training offers and to actively develop their own linguistic competence.
- Students and employees are to respect linguistic diversity and use inclusive language.
- OsloMet shall promote ethical awareness among students and employees regarding linguistic power in professional contexts.
- General information from the university, directed towards students, staff, or the public, shall be available in both Norwegian and English. General oral information shall be interpreted in sign language.
- Tenured academic staff members are required to have a command of the Norwegian academic language and terminology in their field of study. Academic leaders shall facilitate the development of Norwegian academic language and terminology within their academic community.
Education
- Required literature in Norwegian-language programs should primarily be in Norwegian when appropriate. Parts of the required literature in a study program shall be in English.
- Students shall gain relevant competence in Norwegian and English terminology, through courses and study programmes.
- Swedish and Danish are considered equivalent to Norwegian as instructional languages. Programme or course plans may specify the use of English, Norwegian sign language, or other languages.
- Students can choose whether to produce written work in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish, unless otherwise specified in the programme or course plan.
Research and Development
- OsloMet shall support Norwegian as a language serving and uniting our society and a full-fledged academic language.
- Academic assessments and collaboration opportunities with relevant national and international academic communities shall guide the choice of publication language.
- The faculty/center determines the languages permissible for a thesis. When published in Norwegian, a summary in English shall be provided, and vice versa.
- OsloMet shall encourage and actively provide training in research dissemination in both Norwegian and English.
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Language resources
In addition to the Language Policy Guidelines, the following regulations and normative documents apply at OsloMet:
- Act Relating to universities and university colleges (lovdata.no) §1-7. Responsibility for the maintenance and development of Norwegian for professional purposes. (available in Norwegian only)
- Act relating to language (lovdata.no)
- Guidelines for establishing new study programmes and preparation of programme- and course descriptions at OsloMet (student.oslomet.no, in Norwegian), Chapter 5 Content and design of programme- and course descriptions
- Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University (lovdata.no, in Norwegian), § 6-10 Examination in another language than Norwegian
- Regulation relating to the Degree of Philosophiae Doctor, § 5-1 (6) on the language of the thesis, § 6-10 (2) on abstracts in Norwegian and English, and in § 7-2 (3) on the language of the defence
- The Language Council of Norway’s Guide for language choice in the university and university college sector (sprakradet.no)
- Language skill requirements for OsloMet employees are expressed in the OsloMet’s Recruitment Policy for Academic Positions and Language Requirements upon Appointment
- OsloMet holds the EU certification for Charter & Code, and shall fulfill criteria for Open, Transparent and Merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) of researchers. This means for example, having complete English information available for announcements of academic positions and application calls for research projects.
- The Ministry of Education and Research has in their letter of allocations for 2022 (regjeringen.no) underlined and expanded on expectations that follows from Act Relating to universities and university colleges and Act relating to Language. The expectations were reiterated in the letter of allocations for 2023 (regjeringen.no)
- Helsinki Initiative on Multilingualism in Scholarly Communication (helsinki-initiative.org)
Resources and support:
- The Termportal (termportalen.no) is a freely available resource for terminology across several languages and disciplines.
- Guidance and language resources at OsloMet
- The Unit for Academic Language and Practice offer courses, seminars and guidance. Find an overview of available offers and contact persons at the page Courses and workshops
- Norwegian courses for employees are published at OsloMet academy
- The Learning Support Centre (Studieverkstedet) has mentors (students) and staff that can assist students in need of help writing academic texts or aiming to improve your study skills. The Learning Support Centre is specialized in supporting English speaking students.