Linguistics Colloquium: Presentation by Prof. Eduardo D. Faingold - Language rights and the law in Iceland

This paper focuses on the ways in which Iceland addresses the language rights of the native Icelandic-speaking majority vis-à-vis Icelandic Sign Language users and a growing non-Icelandic-speaking immigrant population (Faingold, 2023). In recent years, Iceland has seen a large influx of immigrants, mainly from Poland, but also from Lithuania, the Philippines and other countries. In Iceland, language nationalism and a linguistic protectionist culture that promotes the use of Icelandic above all other languages and in all domains of language use results in laws and regulations that may hinder the opportunities of immigrants to become naturalized citizens; to access services they need, especially in the health care system; and to receive an education that includes the child’s home language in the school curriculum and daily activities.

Finally, a number of linguistic laws, regulations, and policies have been established by the Icelandic parliament and government authorities to promote the right of Icelandic Sign Language users to equal access to public services (i.e., interpreting), especially in the health care system, and to learn and use Icelandic Sign Language in compulsory schools and in higher education, but no legal provisions have been established on the government obligations of providing the financial backing necessary for guaranteeing equal access to public services and education for Icelandic Sign Language users in Iceland.

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