Dovre Municipality faces language decision as community divided on Nynorsk or Bokmål in Norway

Dovre Municipality is at a crossroads, needing to decide whether to adopt Nynorsk or Bokmål as the primary language of instruction in its schools. The community is sharply divided on the issue, with politicians faced with two choices: formalize Nynorsk as the main language or conduct an advisory public referendum on the decision.

The new Education Act, effective since August 1, allows counties to postpone the deadline for selecting the language of instruction until 2026. In Norway, an increasing number of students are opting for Bokmål as their primary language.

Ida Amble Ruge from the Labour Party believes Nynorsk more closely reflects the way people speak and think in Dovre. She argues that having Nynorsk as a primary language provides significant advantages as students advance to junior high and high school, where Bokmål is widely taught.

The debate has intensified as some parents and educators express concerns that Nynorsk is difficult for students to grasp, often requiring additional time from teachers to explain unfamiliar words. Many favor switching the primary language to Bokmål, citing improved student learning and resource efficiency.

Ruge argues for the retention of Nynorsk, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage and linguistic diversity. Yet, local politicians like Ruge feel the need for more factual information to support public discourse before any referendum occurs, suggesting that a purely emotional debate might overlook critical details.

Currently, Nynorsk is losing ground. From its peak in 1943, when 30% of students used it as their primary language, the figure has plummeted to just over 10%. Regions like Møre og Romsdal, Vestland, and Rogaland still have the highest proportions of students choosing Nynorsk.