1.1 List each official language in your country, and mark if the language is officially used nationalwide or in certain regions of the country.
Language 1: Icelandic
Use:: National
1.2 What percentage of the population uses the language as a first language?
Use in percentages:: >75%
1.3 In what language(s) are the Constitution and laws in your country written?
Language 1: Icelandic
1.3.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 1.3: Source GKv
1.4 Are there languages, other than the official languages you mentioned under 1.2, that can be used in regional courts, regional parliaments, and/or regional administrations?
No
1.4.1 Which languages?
1.4.2 Paste relevant sources here (in original language and in english)
1.4.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
1.5 Are there other autochthonous (indigenous) languages in your country, not mentioned in your answers to questions 1.1 to 1.4?
Yes
1.5.1 Which languages?
1.0: Icelandic sign language
1.5.2 Paste relevant sources here (in original language and inenglish)
Original language: Lög um íslenska tungu og íslenskt táknmál
English translation: Law on Icelandic language and Icelandic sign language
1.5.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 1.5: GKv: About 250 people use the sign languuage
1.6 Which are the three main languages (in terms of number of users) spoken by first- and second-generation immigrants in your country?
1.0: Polish
2.0: Lithuanian
3.0: English
1.6.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
1.7(a) Except for your own country, in which other countries of the European Union is/are your official language(s) also regarded as an official language?
Country 1: no
Country 2: no
Country 3: no
Country 4: no
Country 5: no
Country 6: no
Country 7: no
Country 8: no
Country 9: no
Country 10: no
Country 1: no
Country 2: no
Country 3: no
Country 4: no
Country 5: no
Country 6: no
Country 7: no
Country 8: no
Country 9: no
Country 10: no
Country 1: no
Country 2: no
Country 3: no
Country 4: no
Country 5: no
Country 6: no
Country 7: no
Country 8: no
Country 9: no
Country 10: no
Country 1: no
Country 2: no
Country 3: no
Country 4: no
Country 5: no
Country 6: no
Country 7: no
Country 8: no
Country 9: no
Country 10: no
Country 1: no
Country 2: no
Country 3: no
Country 4: no
Country 5: no
Country 6: no
Country 7: no
Country 8: no
Country 9: no
Country 10: no
1.7(b) In which countries outside the European Union is/are your official language(s) also regarded as an official language?
1.7(c) Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 1.7: GKv: Icelandic is only spoken in Iceland
1.8 Has your country ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages?
No
1.8.1 Which regional and/or minority languages does your country officially recognise?
1.8.2 What reservations concerning the charter were raised by your country?
1.8.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 1.8: Iceland signed the charter in 1999 but never ratified. Source: Website of European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages / European Council.
1.9 Has your country signed the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities?
Yes
1.9.1 What provisions relating to this Convention were made by your country?
None Source: Website of framework Convention for the Protection of
National Minorities / European Council.
1.9.2 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
2.1 Does the Constitution of your country state what the official/national/main languages are?
No
2.1.1 Please quote the relevant article(s) of the Constitution in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
2.1.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
2.1.3 Comments on 2.1.1
2.2 Is there a language law stipulating what language is (or what languages are) to be used in official matters?
Yes
2.2.1 Please quote the relevant article(s) of the language law(s) in the original language and in English including the exact reference.
Original language: 2011 nr. 61 7. júní, paragraph 1: Íslenska er þjóðtunga Íslendinga og opinbert mál á Íslandi
English translation: Icelandic is the national language of the Icelanders and a official language in Iceland
2.2.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
2.2.3 Comments on 2.2.1
2.2.4 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
2.3 Is there any legislation other than the Constitution or a language law that defines the use of language(s) in government, public administration and/or judiciary institutions?
No
2.3.1 Please quote the relevant article(s) in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
2.3.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
2.3.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 2.3: Source: althingi.is (website of the Icelandic parliament)
2.4 Does your country have a compulsory test or examination that includes a language test in (one of) the national/official language(s) which has to be passed in order to obtain citizenship?
Yes
2.4.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
Quotation in original language: Umsækjandi hafi staðist próf í íslensku samkvæmt kröfum sem dómsmálaráðherra setur í reglugerð.
Quotation in English: The applicant is required to have passed an Icelandic language test that is in accordance with requirements in Statute by the Minister of justice.
Reference (name of the law, article number, date): Lög um íslenskan ríkisborgararétt” [Law on Icelandic citizenship] no. 100/1952 (Amendments in Law no. 81/2007, and in Law no. 26/2009), Article 9,3, which came into effect on January 1st 2009.
2.4.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
Not authorized
2.4.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 2.4: Source: Source APK (who also chairs a committee of consultants in matters concerning naturalization language tests, under the Ministry of Justice), website of the Icelandic Parliament, website of the Ministry of Justice. The statute contains instruction on exemptions from this stipulation, for people who are 65 years old or more and who have had lawful domicile in Iceland for at least 7 years, for young children and children in compulsory schools, and for people who are unable to take a language test because of some serious physical or mental condition.
2.5 Does your country offer instruction with regard to which national/official language(s) have to be mastered in order to obtain citizenship?
No
2.5.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
2.5.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
2.5.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
2.6 Does your country have a compulsory examination or test with regard to which (one of the) national language(s) have to be mastered in order to obtain permanent residency (i.e. without becoming a citizen of your country)?
No
2.6.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
2.6.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
2.6.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 2.6: Source: GKv
2.7 Does the government of your country provide instruction, with regard to which (one of the) national/official language(s) have to be masted in order to obtain permanent residency?
Yes
2.7.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
Quotation in original language: Skilyrði fyrir veitingu búsetuleyfis eru m.a. eftirfarandi: a. Útlendingur hefur sótt námskeið í íslensku fyrir útlendinga.
Quotation in English: Prerequisites for issue of permanent residence permit are among other things the following: a. The foreign person has attended a course in Icelandic for foreigners
Reference (name of the law, article number, date): Lög um útlendinga” [Law on foreigners] no. 96/2002, Article 15.
2.7.1Please, quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English; include the exact reference.
2.7.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
Not authorized
2.7.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Source: website of the Icelandic Parliament, website of the Ministry of Justice. The Minister of Justice has issued a statute with more detailed instructions, e.g. that the applicant has to have attended an Icelandic language course for at least the total of 150 hours, unless s/he can verify corresponding skills in the Icelandic language otherwise (Statute nr. 53/2003, article 50).
3.1 Is there any regulation in your country that gives the official language(s) a declared status as a medium of instruction in primary schools?
Yes
3.1.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
Quotation in original language: Kennsla í grunnskólum skal fara fram á íslensku.
Quotation in English: Instruction in primary schools shall take place in Icelandic.
Reference (name of the law, article number, date): Lög um grunnskóla” [Law on Primary Schools] no. 91/2008, Article 16.
3.1.2 Please state which languages are used as mediums of language instruction.
3.1.3 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
3.1.4 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 3.1: Source: althingi.is,Website of the Icelandic Parliament
3.2 Are there other (regional or local) regulations concerning the use of the official or other languages as mediums of instruction in primary schools?
Yes
3.2.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
Quotation in original language: Mikilvægt er að nemendur öðlist færni í að nýta íslensku í námi, leik og
starfi.Leggja
ber áherslu á að þjálfa nemendur í íslensku í öllu námi. Þetta gildir jafnt um þá sem eiga
íslensku að móðurmáli, þá sem eru af erlendu bergi brotnir og þá sem hafa táknmál að
móðurmáli.
ber áherslu á að þjálfa nemendur í íslensku í öllu námi. Þetta gildir jafnt um þá sem eiga
íslensku að móðurmáli, þá sem eru af erlendu bergi brotnir og þá sem hafa táknmál að
móðurmáli.
Quotation in English: It is important that pupils acquire competence in Icelandic in their studies, play and work.
In all studies emphasis should be put on training pupils in Icelandic. This applies equally for
those whose native language is Icelandic, those who are of foreign origin and those whose
native language is sign language.
Reference (name of the law, article number, date): he Icelandic National Curriculum Guide for Compulsory Schools: Genearl Section 2012, chapter 6.(Regulation, which legal status corresponds to a statute.)
3.2.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
3.2.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 3.2: Source: www.mrn.is
3.3 Is there any regulation in your country that gives the official language(s) a declared status as mediums of instruction in secondary schools?
Yes
3.3.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
Quotation in original language: Kennsla í framhaldsskólum skal fara fram á íslensku.
Quotation in English: Instruction in secondary schools shall take place in Icelandic.
Reference (name of the law, article number, date): Lög um framhaldsskóla” [Law on Secondary Schools] no. 92/2008, Article 35.
3.3.2 Please state which languages are used as languages of instruction.
3.3.3 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
3.3.4 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 3.3: Source: althingi.is (Website of the Icelandic Parliament.)
3.4 Are there other (regional or local) regulations concerning the use of the official or other languages as mediums of instruction in secondary schools?
No
3.4.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
3.4.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
3.4.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 3.4: Source: The Icelandic National Curriculum Guide for Upper Secondary Schools: General Section 2011.
4.1 Is there any regulation in your country that gives the official langauge(s) a declared status as mediums of instruction at university level?
No
4.1.1 Please state which languages are used as languages of instruction.
Mostly Icelandic, English in some courses.
4.1.2 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
4.1.3 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
4.1.4 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 4.1: Lög um háskóla á Íslandi [Law on universities in Iceland] nr. 63/2006 and lög um opinbera háskóla [Law on public universities]nr. 85/2008
4.2 Are there any (national, regional, local, or other) regulations about the language in which bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral courses and programs should be taught?
Yes
4.2.1 Please quote the relevant article(s) in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
UI (University of Iceland): “Meginkennslumál í framhaldsnámi er […] íslenska, eftir því sem við verður komið”; RU (Reykjavík university): “… að fullu tvítyngdur skóli árið 2010” , UA (University of Akureyri): “Íslenska er opinbert tungumál skólans". UI: “Main language of instruction in Master’s and PhD programs is Icelandic, as far as possible”, RU:“… will be a totally bilingual university in 2010”; UA: “Icelandic is the official language of the university”.
4.2.2 Are there other (regional or local) regulations concerning the language of instruction in university research programs?
No
4.2.2 Please quote the relevant article(s) in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.
4.2.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 4.2: Sources: Language policy of University of Iceland, May 2004, Policy programme of Reykjavik University, www.ru.is, Language policy of University of Akureyri, Feb 2008.
4.3 Select the five biggest universities of your country (by means of number of students) covering all academic fields (humanities, social sciences and natural sciences).
4.3.1 What percentage of the master’s programs in the five selected universities is taught in English?
Between 0-25%
No answer
Between 0-25%
Between 26-50%
Between 51-75%
More than 75%
4.3.2 What percentage of the master’s programs for the humanities in the five selected universities is taught in English?
Between 0-25%
No answer
Between 0-25%
Between 26-50%
Between 51-75%
More than 75%
4.3.3 What percentage of the master’s programs for social sciences in the five selected universities is taught in English?
Between 0-25%
No answer
Between 0-25%
Between 26-50%
Between 51-75%
More than 75%
4.3.4 What percentage of the master’s programs for mathematics and natural sciences in the five selected universities is taught in English?
Between 0-25%
No answer
Between 0-25%
Between 26-50%
Between 51-75%
More than 75%
4.3.5 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 4.3: Source Ari Páll Kristinsson: Numbers are based on 129 master's programs at the University of Iceland, the largest university in the country. Other universities in Iceland do not offer quite as many master's programs as UI, so I left them out in these statistics.
4.4 Select the five biggest universities of your country (by means of number of students) covering all academic fields (humanities, social sciences and natural sciences).
4.4.1 What is the overall percentage of the PhD dissertations in your country that are written in English?
Between 26-50%
No answer
Between 0-25%
Between 26-50%
Between 51-75%
More than 75%
4.4.2 What is the overall percentage of the PhD dissertations in the humanities in your country that are written in English?
Between 0-25%
No answer
Between 0-25%
Between 26-50%
Between 51-75%
More than 75%
4.4.3 What is the overall percentage of the PhD dissertations in the social sciences in your country that are written in English?
More than 75%
No answer
Between 0-25%
Between 26-50%
Between 51-75%
More than 75%
4.4.4 What is the overall percentage of the PhD dissertations in the mathematics and natural sciences in your country that are written in English?
More than 75%
No answer
Between 0-25%
Between 26-50%
Between 51-75%
More than 75%
4.4.5 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
4.5 Are there any regulations about the language in which a PhD (doctoral) dissertation should be written?
Yes
4.5.1 Please quote the relevant article(s), including the exact reference.
Quotation in original language: Soc Sc: “Doktorsritgerð skal vera skrifuð á ensku nema sérstök rök séu fyrir því að hafa hana á íslensku” Med: “Doktorsritgerð skal skrifa á ensku” Hum: “Doktorsritgerð skal að jafnaði vera skrifuð á íslensku eða ensku".
4.5.2 Is the English translation of the quotation autorized?
Not authorized
4.5.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 4.5: SocSc: “A PhD thesis shall be written in English unless there is some special reason for it to be in Icelandic” Med: “A PhD thesis shall be written in English” Humanities: “A PhD thesis shall normally be written in either Icelandic or English".
4.6 If PhD dissertations can be written In English, is it compulsory to add a summary in the official language or one of the official languages of your country?
Yes
4.6.1 Please quote the relevant article(s), including the exact reference.
Quotation in original language: Humanities: “Í hverri ritgerð skal vera útdráttur á íslensku og ensku”
Quotation in English: Humanities: “All theses shall have an abstract in both Icelandic and English”
Reference (name of the law, article number, date): University of Iceland regulation from 2007
4.6.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
Not authorized
4.6.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
4.7 Are there any established scientific journals in your country partly or fully published in the official language(s)?
Yes
4.7.1 In what scientific fields are those journals?
4.7.2 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
4.8 Do foreign students who wish to sign up for a course (conducted in your country’s official language) at a university in your country have to pass a language proficiency test (in your country´s official language) prior to registration?
No
4.8.1 How many universities selected under 4.3 require foreign students (seeking to sign up for a course conducted in your country’s official language) to pass a special language proficiency test (in your country’s official language) prior to registration?
Persentage: 0%
Number: 0
4.8.2 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
5.1 Are there any daily papers written in a language other than your country’s official language(s) that are produced in your country and distributed nationwide or in a substantial part of the nation?
No
5.1.1 Please list the papers.
5.1.2 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
5.2 Has/have the official language(s) of your country a declared status as a medium of communication in the public service contracts with radio and/or TV broadcasters in your country?
Yes
5.2.1 Please quote the relevant article(s), including the exact reference.
Quotation in original language: Það [Ríkisútvarpið] skal leggja rækt við íslenska tungu, menningu, sögu þjóðarinnar og menningararfleifð.
Quotation in English: It [the State broadcasting service] shall support the Icelandic language, culture, history and cultural heritage.
Reference (name of the law, article number, date): Lög um Ríkisútvarpið [Law on the State broadcasting service] nr. 23, 2013, articel 1.
5.2.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
Authorized
5.2.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
5.3 How do public service television and film distributors in your country generally deal with languages other than your country’s official language(s) when broadcasting foreign films for adults?
5.3.1 Broadcast in original language
Rarely/never
5.3.2 Broadcast in original language with voice-over
Rarely/never
5.3.3 Broadcast with dubbing
Rarely/never
5.3.4 Broadcast with subtitles
Mostly/always
5.3.5 Dual-channel sound (broadcast in two languages)
Rarely/never
5.3.6 Other:
5.3.7 Other:
5.4 How do public service television and film distributors in your country generally deal with languages other than your country’s official language(s) when broadcasting foreign films for children?
5.4.1 Broadcast in original language
Sometimes
5.4.2 Broadcast in original language with voice-over
Rarely/never
5.4.3 Broadcast with dubbing
Mostly/always
5.4.4 Broadcast with subtitles
Sometimes
5.4.5 Dual-channel sound (broadcast in two languages)
Rarely/never
5.4.6 Other:
5.4.7 Other:
5.4.8 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
5.5 Is there any legal/official regulation in your country concerning the amount of radio broadcasting popular and folk vocal music in the official language(s)?
No
5.5.1 Please quote the relevant article(s), including the exact reference.
5.5.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
5.5.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
6.1 Is there a legal/official regulation in your country concerning the use of languages in industry, commerce, business or other working environments?
Yes
6.1.1 Please quote the relevant article(s), including the exact reference.
Reference (name of the law, article number, date): Lög um eftirlit með viðskiptaháttum og markaðssetningu [Law on supervision of trade practices and marketing], nr. 57/2005, Art. 6 and 16.
6.1.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?
Not authorized
6.1.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
Comments on 6.1: Since there was too little space in 6.1.1 above, I here repeat the (whole) answer to the question: “Auglýsingar sem höfða eiga til íslenskra neytenda skulu vera á íslensku” “(Notkunar)Leiðbeiningarnar skulu vera á íslensku eða öðru Norðurlandamáli, þó ekki finnsku, eða ensku” ”Almennir skilmálar þjónustuaðila, sem bjóða neytendum þjónustu sína hér á landi, skulu vera á íslensku.” “Skriflegar ábyrgðaryfirlýsingar skulu vera á íslensku” “Advertisements, meant to appeal to Icelandic consumers, shall be in Icelandic.” “Instructions (for use) shall be in Icelandic or another Nordic language (not Finnish), or in English.” “General terms of service providers, offering consumers their services in Iceland, shall be in Icelandic.” “Written liability declarations shall be in Icelandic.”
6.2 In which languages are the companies´ annual reports written in your country? List the ten largest companies (by number of employees). The companies should have their main location in your country and be a major employer.
6.2.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
6.3 What are the official website languages of those ten companies?
6.3.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
7.1 In how many foreign countries around the world (where your country’s language is not an official language) is there an opportunity of obtaining a master’s degree in your country’s official language as a field of study?
0-10 countries
7.1.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
7.2 Please indicate the number of universities worldwide where students can obtain a master’s degree in your country’s official language. (Exclude countries where your official language is an official language.)
0-10 countries
7.2.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
7.3 Which languages are officially taught as foreign languages in your country’s primary and/or secondary schools?
Danish: Primary school
English: Primary school
French: Primary school / Secondary school
German: Secondary school
Spanish: Secondary school
7.3.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources
8.1 What are the most important public, non-governmental but publicly funded, and private organisations for your country’s official language(s) and for the other indigenous languages?
8.1.1
Name (official and English translation): Íslensk málnefnd, Icelandic Language Council
Language(s):: 17 members,15 appointed by culture and educational organisations/institutions, 2 by the Minister of Education, Science and Culture
Mission: : Advisory to the government on matters of the Icelandic language, propose a language policy, issue resolutions on the status of the Icelandic language, responsible for orthography rule.
Relation to national government:: Appointed by Minister of Education, Science and Culture
Activities:: Proposals for language policy, resolutions on the status of the Icelandic language
URL:: www.islenskan.is
Structure:: Publicly founded
8.1.2
ame (official and English translation): Stofnun Árna Magnússonar í íslenskum fræðum [The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies]
Language(s):: Academic research institute within the University of Iceland.
Mission: : Conduct research on Icelandic Studies and related scholarly topics, especially in the field of Icelandic language and literature. Disseminate knowledge in these fields. Preserve and augment its collections. Secretariat to the Icelandic language council.
Relation to national government:: Operating on an independent budget, answering directly to the Ministry of Education.
Activities:: Research intitute
URL:: www.arnastofnun.is
Structure:: Public
8.1.3
ame (official and English translation): Samskiptamiðstöð fyrir heyrnarlausa og heyrnarskerta [The Communication Centre for The Deaf and Hard of Hearing]
Mission: : Promote equal rights of deaf people by supporting services to them in sign language; researching and teaching Icelandic sign language; centre for interpreting
Relation to national government:: Operating on an independent budget, answering directly to the Ministry of Education.
URL:: ttp://www.shh.is/
Structure:: Public
8.1.4
8.1.5
8.1.6
8.1.7
8.1.8
8.1.9
8.1.10 Feel free to add futher