Scope of the language policy
This language policy applies to all written, user-oriented communication and covers all content on Helsenorge. This includes all articles, forms, and self-service solutions.
The language policy covers texts in Bokmål and Nynorsk, as well as translations into Sámi languages and foreign languages. It does not apply to the use of plain language.
Nynorsk
The Act relating to language (the Language Act) states that Bokmål and Nynorsk are equal languages that can be used in all parts of society. In public bodies, Bokmål and Nynorsk have equal standing as written languages.
According to the Language Act, public bodies have a responsibility for using, developing, and strengthening Bokmål and Nynorsk. Central government bodies, i.e. those that serve the entire country, must over time use at least 25 percent of both Bokmål and Nynorsk in publicly available documents. Forms and self-service solutions must be available in both languages. Government bodies must respond to all requests from private individuals in the Norwegian written language used in the request.
According to the content strategy for Helsenorge, individual content owners are responsible for ensuring that their texts on Helsenorge meet the requirements of the Language Act.
The following measures must be implemented in order to increase the proportion of Nynorsk on Helsenorge:
- We must continually strive to meet the requirement for at least 25 percent Nynorsk on Helsenorge.
- Forms on Helsenorge must be available in both Bokmål and Nynorsk.
- Self-service solutions which require log-in, must be made available in both Bokmål and Nynorsk. There are many parties involved in this process and some technical development will be necessary. As a result, this is a longer term goal.
- All new self-service solutions that are developed, will be made available in Bokmål and Nynorsk simultaneously.
- The Helsenorge editorial team shall raise awareness amongst local editors of their obligation to comply with the Language Act in the performance of their role.
Sámi languages
The Sámi Act and Language Act state that Norwegian and Sámi languages are equal languages in Norway. According to the Language Act, public bodies must use, strengthen, and develop the Sámi languages.
According to the Central Government Communication Policy, government agencies must pay special attention to users of the Sámi languages, in order to ensure good communication with Sámi language users across the country.
This applies to the use of Sámi languages on Helsenorge:
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We will ensure that a high-quality Sami offering is available on Helsenorge. We primarily translate content about rights, but also certain articles on other topics and self-service solutions.
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On Helsenorge, we mainly translate into Northern Sámi, which is used by around 90 percent of the Sámi-speaking population in Norway. In certain cases, we also translate into Lule Sámi and Southern Sámi, in agreement with the content owner.
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The need for further translations into Sámi languages will be assessed in a dialogue with our collaboration partners.
English and other foreign languages
English is the highest priority foreign language on Helsenorge. This is linked to the Central Government Communication Policy, which states that in order to reach the immigrant population with government information, every single agency shall consider whether it is sufficient to translate into English, or whether translations into other foreign languages are needed as well.
Content on Helsenorge must meet the information needs regarding the health rights of individuals in Norway who have little or no Norwegian language skills. It is primarily health information which is specific to Norway that must be provided in English. In addition, we must provide up-to-date information about the self-service solutions on Helsenorge.
We have established the following goals to improve communication in English:
- Information about the health service, health rights and healthcare in Norway shall be available in English.
- Information about digital services on Helsenorge shall be available in English.
- The most commonly used forms on Helsenorge shall be available in English.
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More self-service solutions on Helsenorge shall be made available in English. There are many parties involved in this process and some technical development will be necessary. As a result, this is a longer-term goal.
- The need for further translations into English will be assessed through user surveys and in a dialogue with our collaboration partners.
Translations into other foreign languages shall take place on the basis of an ongoing internal assessment within the Helsenorge editorial team and in a discussion with our collaboration partners. In special cases, content should be translated into additional foreign languages (e.g. in the event of serious events such as the corona pandemic or an Ebola outbreak).