Proposal to explore constitutional protection for the Icelandic language

The Icelandic Language Council has proposed that authorities examine whether there is a need to enshrine protection for the Icelandic language in the country’s constitution. The council also recommends a review of the current laws regarding the status of Icelandic and Icelandic Sign Language.

In its resolution on the state of the Icelandic language, the council highlights six priority areas aimed at clarifying and simplifying the legal framework, making it more effective.

Rules for language use and advertising in Icelandic

The proposals include creating clear guidelines for the use of foreign languages in Iceland, strengthening and clarifying legislation to ensure that advertisements aimed at Icelandic consumers must be in Icelandic, establishing a structured partnership between the Icelandic Language Council and the Consumer Agency to monitor the use of Icelandic in public spaces, and assigning the supervision and revision of official language rules to the Icelandic department of the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies.

The resolution notes that Iceland’s national language is not currently mentioned in the country’s constitution, unlike in the constitutions of many other nations.

“It should be examined whether changes in society have created a greater need than before to protect the Icelandic language in the constitution.
The law on the status of Icelandic and Icelandic Sign Language must be reviewed, as the situation has changed since it was enacted in 2011 due to rapid societal and technological developments.
The scope of the law should be expanded so that the concept of a national language is clearly defined, and its use specified across various sectors.
Some provisions on the use of Icelandic should not only apply to public institutions but to society as a whole,” the resolution states.

Icelandic is the language of the country

The council also points out that there are currently no consistent rules governing the languages used for public information — including signage, advertising, and informational materials.

“The Icelandic Language Council has emphasized that, when other languages are used, it must always be clear that Icelandic is the language of the country, with other languages provided only for clarification.
Translation into other languages carries costs, and there must always be clear reasons and justification for their use.
The dominance of English across the linguistic landscape undermines the status of Icelandic,”
the resolution warns.