Sweden

1. General questions about your country and its languages

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: Swedish

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: Swedish

1.3.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

Comments on 1.3: Swedish is the main language in Sweden, i.e. it is the common language in society that everyone has to have access to and that can be used in all sectors of society, according to the Language Act (2009:600).


However, Sweden has five officially recognized minority languages (Finnish, Meänkieli, Yiddish, Romani and Sami languages). Three of them (Finnish, Meänkieli and Sami) can be used by the minorities in court and in contact with the authorities in specific regions. Therefore you might consider these three languages as official languages as well.

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?

Yes

1.4.1 Which languages?

1.0: Finnish

2.0: Sami

3.0: Meänkieli

1.4.2 Paste relevant sources here (in original language and in english)

1.4.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

Comments on 1.4: See answer to question 1.3.

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: Romani

2.0: Yiddish

3.0: The Swedish Sign Language

1.5.2 Paste relevant sources here (in original language and inenglish)

1.5.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

Comments on 1.5: Apart from Finnish, Meänkieli and Sami languages, Romani and Yiddish are also recognised as national minority languages. The Swedish Sign Language is not regarded as a national minority language, but has a corresponding status according to the Language Act (2009:600).

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: Finnish*

2.0: Serbocroatian (impossible to separate between the varities Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian)

3.0: Arabic

1.6.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

Comments on 1.6: *Finnish is a national minority language in Sweden and should maybe not be listed here. However, it is the largest language in Sweden apart from Swedish.


Source: Parkvall, Mikael (2009): ”Sveriges språk – vem talar vad och var?” Stockholms universitet

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: Finland

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: See comment to question 1.3.

1.8 Has your country ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages?

Yes

1.8.1 Which regional and/or minority languages does your country officially recognise?

Finnish, Sami, Meänkieli, Romani and Yiddish are recognised as national minority languages.

1.8.2 What reservations concerning the charter were raised by your country?

none

1.8.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

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

1.9.2 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

2. Specific legal regulations

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: Språklag (2009:600)
4 § Svenska är huvudspråk i Sverige.
5 § Som huvudspråk är svenskan samhällets gemensamma språk, som alla som är bosatta i Sverige ska ha tillgång till och som ska kunna användas inom alla samhällsområden.
6 § Det allmänna har ett särskilt ansvar för att svenskan används och utvecklas.
De nationella minoritetsspråken
7 § De nationella minoritetsspråken är finska, jiddisch, meänkieli, romani chib och samiska.
8 § Det allmänna har ett särskilt ansvar för att skydda och främja de nationella minoritetsspråken.
Det svenska teckenspråket
9 § Det allmänna har ett särskilt ansvar för att skydda och främja det svenska teckenspråket.
Språkanvändningen i offentlig verksamhet
10 § Språket i domstolar, förvaltningsmyndigheter och andra organ som fullgör uppgifter i offentlig verksamhet är svenska.
I annan lag finns särskilda bestämmelser om rätt att använda nationella minoritetsspråk och annat nordiskt språk.
När det gäller skyldigheten för domstolar och förvaltningsmyndigheter att anlita tolk och att översätta handlingar finns det särskilda bestämmelser.
11 § Språket i offentlig verksamhet ska vara vårdat, enkelt och begripligt.
12 § Myndigheter har ett särskilt ansvar för att svensk terminologi inom deras olika fackområden finns tillgänglig, används och utvecklas.
Svenskan i internationella sammanhang
13 § Svenska är Sveriges officiella språk i internationella sammanhang.
Svenskans ställning som officiellt språk i Europeiska unionen ska värnas.
Den enskildes tillgång till språk
14 § Var och en som är bosatt i Sverige ska ges möjlighet att lära sig, utveckla och använda svenska. Därutöver ska
1. den som tillhör en nationell minoritet ges möjlighet att lära sig, utveckla och använda minoritetsspråket, och
2. den som är döv eller hörselskadad och den som av andra skäl har behov av teckenspråk ges möjlighet att lära sig, utveckla och använda det svenska teckenspråket.


Den som har ett annat modersmål än de språk som anges i första stycket ska ges möjlighet att utveckla och använda sitt modersmål.
15 § Det allmänna ansvarar för att den enskilde ges tillgång till språk enligt 14 §.

English translation: The Language Act (2009:600)


Translation: AUTHORIZED


The Swedish language


4 § Swedish is the principal language in Sweden.


5 § As principal language, Swedish is the common language in society that everyone resident in Sweden is to have access to and that is to be usable in all areas of society.


6 § The public sector has a particular responsibility for the use and development of Swedish.


The national minority languages


7 § The national minority languages are Finnish, Yiddish, Meänkieli (Tornedal Finnish), Romany Chib and Sami.


8 § The public sector has a particular responsibility to protect and promote the national minority languages.


Swedish sign language


9 § The public sector has a particular responsibility to protect and promote Swedish sign language.


The use of language in the public sector


10 § The language of the courts, administrative authorities and other bodies that perform tasks in the public sector is Swedish.


Other legislation contains provisions on the right to use national minority languages and other Nordic languages.


There are separate provisions concerning the obligation of courts and administrative authorities to use interpreters and to translate documents.


11 § The language of the public sector is to be cultivated, simple and comprehensible.


12 § Government agencies have a special responsibility for ensuring that Swedish terminology in their various areas of expertise is accessible, and that it is used and developed.


Swedish in international contexts


13 § Swedish is the official language of Sweden in international contexts.


The status of Swedish as an official EU language is to be safeguarded.
Individuals’ access to language


14 § All residents of Sweden are to be given the opportunity to learn, develop and use Swedish. In addition
1. persons belonging to a national minority are to be given the opportunity to learn, develop and use the minority language, and
2. persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and persons who, for other reasons, require sign language, are to be given the opportunity to learn, develop and use Swedish sign language.
Persons whose mother tongue is not one of the languages specified in the first paragraph are to be given the opportunity to develop and use their mother tongue.
15 § The public sector is responsible for ensuring that the individual is given access to language in accordance with 14§.

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?

Yes

2.3.1 Please quote the relevant article(s) in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.

English translation: My comment: Other laws defining the use of language(s) in government, public administration and/or judiciary institutions are listed below. The relevant parts are shortly described but not fully cited. Translating them would take up to much space and would also be unreasonably time-consuming.


Lag (2009:724) om nationella minoriteter och minoritetsspråk (Act on National Minorities and National Minority Languages).
The law stipulates minority rights in accordance with the Council of Europe´s conventions (Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages)


Förvaltningslagen (1986:223, 7 § and §8) (Administrative Procedure Act)
Tha law states that the public agenicies must express themeselves comprensibly. It also states that public agencies must supply individuals who don´t speak Swedish with translation or interpretation in a language that they understand. Individuals with impaired hearing must be offered interpretation.


Patientdatalagen (2008:355,13 § ). (“the law on patient journals”).
The law states that journals must be written in Swedish and as comprensible as possible.


Radio- och TV-lagen (2010:696, 7§) (“the law on radio and television”). The law states that a considerable part of the programmes i public service radio and television must be in Swedish.


Patentlagen (1967:837, 3 kap. 31 §) (“the law on patents”).
The law states that an application for patent must be in Swedish.


Hälso- och sjukvårdslagen (1982:763) ( “the law on health care and medical care”).
The law states that persons who are deaf or persons with impaired hearing must be offered interpretation.


Rättegångsbalken (1942:740) (Code of Judicial Procedure (1942:740, chap 5. 6 §))
The law includes a paragraph that stipulates the need to employ interpreters to individuals who do not understand Swedish. In the same law, 33 kap. 9 §, the need to translate documents of importance is mentioned.


Skollagen (2010:800) (The Education Act)
The act contains general provisions for pre-school class, compulsory basic, upper secondary school, special school and Sami school. The act includes regulations for school subjects such as foreign langauges but is less detailed in comparison to the Ordinance on Education (2011:185).


Skolförordningen (2011:185) (the Ordinance on Education)
The ordinance stipulates the right to education in other mother toungues than Swedish and the right to education in Swedish as a second language. It also contains regulations regarding optional foreign langauge courses in French, German, Spanish and other languages.

2.3.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?

2.3.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

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?

No

2.4.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.

2.4.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?

2.4.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

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

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?

No

2.7.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.

2.7.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?

2.7.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

3. Instruction in and use of languages in primary and secondary education

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?

No

3.1.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.

3.1.2 Please state which languages are used as mediums of language instruction.

Not filled in

3.1.3 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?

3.1.4 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

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?

No

3.2.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.

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: In the Act (2009:724) on National Minorities and National Minority Languages it is stated that the local authorities are obligated to offer children belonging to the national minorities preschool which is fully or partly conducted in the minority language.

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?

No

3.3.1 Quote the relevant legislation in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.

3.3.2 Please state which languages are used as languages of instruction.

not filled in

3.3.3 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?

3.3.4 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

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

4. Instruction in and use of languages at university level

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.

not filled in

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

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?

No

4.2.1 Please quote the relevant article(s) in the original language and in English, including the exact reference.

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

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 51-75%

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 26-50%

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: Comment question 4.3.: 70 % of all masters programs in 2009 were taught in English.


Comment question 4.3.1.: 3 % of the programs for the humanities at advanced level (which consists by 80 % of master programs) were taught in English in 2008.


Comment question 4.3.2.: 26 % of the programs for the social sciences at advanced level (which consists by 80 % of master programs) were taught in English in 2008.


Comment question 4.3.3.: 17 % of the programs for mathematics and the natural sciences at advanced level (which consists by 80 % of master programs) were taught in English in 2008.


Comment questions 4.3. - 4.4.: The figures concern all universities since there are no figures available for individual universities. When nothing else is mentioned, the figures are taken from a report published by Språkrådet: Engelska eller svenska? En kartläggning av språksituationen inom högre utbildning och forskning, Linus Salö, Språkrådet 2010.

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?

More than 75%

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 26-50%

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?

Between 51-75%

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

Comments on 4.4: Comment question 4.4.: In 2008, 87 % of all the dissertations in Swedish universities were written in English.


Comment question 4.4.1.: In 2008, around 35 % of all the dissertations in the humanities were written in English.


Comment question 4.4.2.: In 2008, around 65 % of all the dissertations in the social sciences were written in English.


Comment question 4.4.3.: In 2008, over 90 % of all the dissertations in the mathematics and natural sciences were written in English.


Comment questions 4.3. - 4.4.: The figures concern all universities since there are no figures available for individual universities. When nothing else is mentioned, the figures are taken from a report published by Språkrådet: Engelska eller svenska? En kartläggning av språksituationen inom högre utbildning och forskning, Linus Salö, Språkrådet 2010.

4.5 Are there any regulations about the language in which a PhD (doctoral) dissertation should be written?

No

4.5.1 Please quote the relevant article(s), including the exact reference.

4.5.2 Is the English translation of the quotation autorized?

4.5.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

Comments on 4.5: There is no regulation on a national level concerning language use at the universities. Some universities have adopted language policies that all students are expected to follow but they are formulated by each university and have no legal status.

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?

No

4.6.1 Please quote the relevant article(s), including the exact reference.

4.6.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?

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?

Yes

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?

4.8.2 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

Comments on 4.8: Students who have no upper secondary school grade in the Swedish language (which should be the case for most foreign students) must pass a Swedish language test (reading, writing and oral) in order to sign up for ordinary university courses. The student must have excellent skills in the Swedish language to pass the test. However, there are also special courses designed for foreign students but they are conducted in English.


All universities require the same test since it´s a national regulation.

5. Media

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?

Yes

5.1.1 Please list the papers.

Haparandabladet – a regional newspaper which is distributed twice a week and written in three languages: Swedish (main language), Finnish and Meänkieli.

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: “Tv-sändningar enligt första stycket ska, om det inte finns särskilda skäl
mot det, i betydande omfattning innehålla program på svenska språket, program
med artister verksamma i Sverige och verk av upphovsmän verksamma
i Sverige.”
Radio- och TV-lag (2010:696)

Quotation in English: “TV and radio supply should [...] if there are no specific reasons why is shouldn´t, to a significant part consist of programs broadcasted in Swedish, with Swedish artists and productions by Swedish originators.”
Act on TV- and radio (2010:696)

Reference (name of the law, article number, date): Radio- och TV-lagen (2010:696)

5.2.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?

Not 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

Rarely/never

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

Rarely/never

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

Comments on 5.3: rarely/never= not filled in


This applies for young children, for elderly children the films are broadcasted with subtitles.

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. Business

6.1 Is there a legal/official regulation in your country concerning the use of languages in industry, commerce, business or other working environments?

No

6.1.1 Please quote the relevant article(s), including the exact reference.

6.1.2 Is the English translation of the quotation authorised?

6.1.3 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

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.

Company name and status:: Posten (SO)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish, 2: English, 3: Finnish

Company name and status:: Volvo (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: English

Company name and status:: Samhall (SO)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Ericsson (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish, 2: English

Company name and status:: Scania (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Nordstjernan (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Manpower (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Sandvick (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

6.2.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

6.3 What are the official website languages of those ten companies?

Company name and status:: Posten (SO)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Volvo (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Samhall (SO)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Ericsson (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Scania (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Nordstjernan (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Manpower (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

Company name and status:: Sandvik (P)

Rated use of languages:: 1: Swedish

6.3.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

Comments on 6.3: All of the companies listed above also have country-specific websites in other languages or part of their Swedish websites translated into English (and in some cases – also other languages).

7. Dissemination of official languages abroad

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?

26-50 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.)

11-25 countries

7.2.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

Comments on 7.1: This is just an estimation –According to the Swedish Institute, you can study Swedish in 38 countries (in one or several universities per country) around the world but there is no official data regarding the possibility of obtaining master´s degrees at those universities.

7.3 Which languages are officially taught as foreign languages in your country’s primary and/or secondary schools?

English: Primary school

7.3.1 Comments on question, explanation of answers, sources

Most children start learning English as a school subject in year 3 (9 years old). However, some schools start earlier, in year one or two. Later in secondary school, year 6 (12 years old) the children can choose to take French, German or Spanish but it is not compulsory.
In secondary upper school (from age 16) the students can choose between a variety of languages, depending on what their schools offer. However, both in year 6 and in upper secondary school, there must be at least five students who wish to study a certain language before the schools are obliged to offer instruction.
There is no complete list over the languages offered in upper secondary schools over the country. Each school makes its own decisions. Some of the most common foreign languages except for French, German and Spanish are Italian, Russian and Japanese but many other languages are also offered on a local level. Apart from the foreign language instruction, students who have another mother tongue than Swedish are offered (if they fulfil certain conditions) instruction in their mother tongue if there is a suitable teacher available. Mother tongue instruction is conducted in around 100 languages.

8. Language organisations

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): Språkrådet (Language Council of Sweden)

Language(s):: Swedish, Finnish, Romani, Swedish Sign Language

Mission: : The Council's mission is to monitor the development of spoken and written Swedish and also to monitor the use and status of all other languages in Sweden. Primarily, that means promoting the use of Swedish sign language and our five official minority languages, Finnish, Meänkieli, Sami, Romani and Yiddish. Yet another task is to strengthen Nordic language unity.

Relation to national government:: Under the Ministry of Culture

Activities:: The Council publishes books and handbooks and two journals, "Klarspråksbulletinen" (about plain language in texta from public authorities) and "Kieliviesti" (about Finnish in Sweden). We register new words and deal with fields such as terminology and language technology. We offer lectures as well as free consultation in linguistic matters. A lot of the work is done in cooperation with other organisations, e.g. in The Nordic language council, The joint group for Swedish computer terminology, The group for media language, and The Council for Swedish place-names. The council deals primarily with Swedish, Finnish, Romani and Swedish Sign Language. Meänkieli is taken care of in another department, and Sami is taken care of by Sametinget, se below.

Comments:: Struckture: Språkrådet is a department within the authority Institutet för språk och folkminnen (The Institute for Language and Folklore)

Structure:: Publicly founded

8.1.2

ame (official and English translation): Terminologicentrum TNC (The Swedish Centre for Terminology)

Language(s):: Swedish

Mission: : The overall aim of Terminologicentrum TNC is to meet all kinds of terminological needs of users of languages for special purposes.

Relation to national government:: Receives a grant from the Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications.

Activities:: Offers terminological services and support to authorities, organizations, enterprises who pursue terminological work of their own within various subject fields, and also to individuals.

Comments:: structure: TNC is a stock-company but also receives state grants connected to specific missions.

Structure:: Publicly founded

8.1.3

ame (official and English translation): Sametinget

Language(s):: Sami

Mission: : To monitor the development of the Sami languages and work with Sami-related policies.

Relation to national government:: The Sami Parliament is both a publically-elected parliament and a State agency.

Activities:: Promoting Sami languages and Sami policy.

Structure:: Publicly founded

8.1.4

ame (official and English translation): Svenska Akademien (The Swedish Academy)

Language(s):: Swedish

Mission: : To promote the Swedish language and the Swedish literature

Relation to national government:: none

Activities:: Publishes a spelling dictionary and a historical dictionary

Structure:: Private

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8.1.10 Feel free to add futher