Written language shift among Norwegian youth
Keywords:
Language Planning, Language Shift, Language Revitalization, Bilingualism, BiliterateAbstract
İn Norvvay there are tvvo vvritten Norwegian languages, Bokmâl and Nynorsk. Of these tvvo written languages Bokmâl is being used by the majority of the people, and Bokmâl has the highest prestige in the society. This article is about the shift of written language from Nynorsk to Bokmâl among young people in a traditional Nynorsk district in the country. Drawing on empirical data we conclude that many adolescents are experiencing written language shift. We discuss various reasons for this phenomenon in the linguistic landscape of Norway. İn our discussions we emphasize the importance of the school with regard to language maintenance and language revitalization. We cali for a new language policy in the educational system that can prevent language shift. Having several dialects and two officially written forms of Norwegian in the country, creates a special linguistic landscape in Norway. Despite the fact that the Norwegian language situation is in several vvays unique, it's done very little research on hovv the existing policy vvorks in practice. Our research reveals that the existing language policy and practice in the school system is not povverful enough to prevent language shift and language decay among the youngsters. The school system functions like a fabric for language shift.
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