The language with the torn in its side
We should force readers of national newspapers to read nynorsk (one of the three official written languages in Norway). This is the preposterous suggestion from director Sylfest Lomheim of the Norwegian Language Council.
He wants to remove public financial benefits accorded to the printed press, unless it allows journalists to write nynorsk. The main targets are in effect the national tabloids VG, Dagbladet and Aftenposten, who don't let nynorsk-writing journalists submit articles in their own language.
If the goverment is serious about improving the conditions for linguistic diversity in our country, here's the chance to make a symbolic gesture. There's no extra public cost involved, and there's no need to fear that nynorsk will be more prolific. Considering the already existing narrow-mindedness of the papers, they'll just stop employing journalists who insist on writing nynorsk. Who would be stupid enough to hire such a troublemaker?
It's sad to realise that we'll probably never be able to read Britney and Brad Pitt news in nynorsk. But some of us might admit that Aftenposten in nynorsk wouldn't feel quite right.
He wants to remove public financial benefits accorded to the printed press, unless it allows journalists to write nynorsk. The main targets are in effect the national tabloids VG, Dagbladet and Aftenposten, who don't let nynorsk-writing journalists submit articles in their own language.
If the goverment is serious about improving the conditions for linguistic diversity in our country, here's the chance to make a symbolic gesture. There's no extra public cost involved, and there's no need to fear that nynorsk will be more prolific. Considering the already existing narrow-mindedness of the papers, they'll just stop employing journalists who insist on writing nynorsk. Who would be stupid enough to hire such a troublemaker?
It's sad to realise that we'll probably never be able to read Britney and Brad Pitt news in nynorsk. But some of us might admit that Aftenposten in nynorsk wouldn't feel quite right.
posted by Yngvason at 2:27 pm
6 Comments:
On Dagbladet.no, however, they do allow some nynorsk-writers to excel.
There's probably more hope for online papers, as there's less control and fewer guidelines. And even VG wrote an article in nynorsk last summer.
I feel perfectly fine with writing in whatever language suitable when it comes to forums/blogs, but journalists in their work environment should be allowed to choose their own.
I find any proposal that could lift the near-ban on nynorsk both in internet-based and print media helpful, and I don't think Lomheim's suggestion is wrong at all.
If you look at the current situation as being that the newspapers force a way of expression on journalists I'd say it's entirely justifiable.
Yep. The main argument against nynorsk seems to be that "it confuses the readers" and that it's important to have an unambiguous language profile. Whatever. But when the state actually pays them millions every year because they're part of such a special trade, it should be allowed to enforce a few, well-meant guidelines.
Næmmen! Eg er veldig einig i kommentarane her. Synd at praksisen nok kjem til å bli som Olav spår i bloggteksta - at avisene ikkje kjem til å tilsette nn-journalistar (som insisterer på skrive nn). Vi gler oss til neste Lomheim-utspel som skal takle det lille "smuttholet".
Men eg trur nok at Dagbladet kjem til å "sleppe nynorsken til"....om ikkje lenge.
Men det å bruke økonomiske midlar til å påtvinge pressa gir meg ein ekkel smak i munnen. Eg får bli bokmålsbrukar i staden, så slepp eg slike politisk-etiske dilemma og andre ekle ting, lizm.
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