Mother tongue education in four Nordic countries - problem, right or resource?

The Declaration of a Nordic Language Policy stipulates that all residents have the right to preserve and develop their mother tongue national minority languages. Hence, this article investigates question education for linguistic students. Through four ‘telling cases’, explores how countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, orient towards tongues, Indigenous languages in educational policies. Drawing on Ruíz’ (1984) framework orientations language planning, we investigate following question: In what ways are tongues framed as rights, resources, or problems telling cases policy Norway Sweden? analysis shows although countries provide various forms education, thus apparently aligning with intentions Policy, there important differences between provisions. Nevertheless, across official placed at top ideological hierarchy. followed by tongues. These awarded rights but not considered resources whole population (e.g., Ruíz, 1984). Danish case inserts supranational layer hierarchy, namely status European Union. hierarchy reflects some types more readily granted be than others.