Norwegian Sign Language Curriculum (NOR4-04)

Norwegian Sign Language is a key subject with regard to cultural understanding, communication, enlightenment and developing an identity. One key objective of the tuition given in Norwegian Sign Language throughout primary and secondary education is to generate linguistic self-confidence and confidence in one's own culture as a basis for developing an identity, respect for others, and lifelong learning. By actively using Sign Language, children and young people are introduced to culture and society. For deaf and hearing impaired pupils Sign Language is the key to active participation in large and small groups. In Norwegian Sign Language pupils should be able to find their own voice, express themselves, be heard and get answers.

Norwegian Sign Language is a visual-gestural and national language developed by the country’s deaf community. The language is described as visual because it is interpreted by vision and works independently of sound. It is described as gestural because it is communicated using hand, eye, facial, eyebrow, mouth, head and body movements. There are geographical and social variants of Norwegian Sign Language. Norwegian Sign Language should allow the pupils to develop linguistic and textual competence according to the abilities and potential of each individual pupil. Competences in expressing oneself and interacting with others are both a goal in themselves and a tool for learning and comprehension in all subjects and in every year of study.

Norwegian Sign Language tuition incorporates a wide range of texts from different genres, both original texts in Sign Language and translated or retold texts from languages with different modalities or from other Sign Languages. The texts may be spontaneous or prepared. The subject is based on an extended text concept whereby text can be made up of Sign Language, writing, film and images. The tuition should stimulate the pupils to experience and create Sign Language texts and help them to develop good learning strategies in a continuous progression throughout the 13 years of study.

Norwegian Sign Language reflects a culture characterised by extensive communication and cultural exchange both nationally and internationally. This tradition has had an impact on language, social conventions and perspectives. Our cultural heritage is a living tradition that evolves and recreates itself, and tuition in Norwegian Sign Language should encourage the pupils to become active contributors to this tradition. By seeing Norwegian Sign Language and deaf culture in a historical, national and global perspective, the pupils can gain an insight into and understanding of the society in which they live. In view of this language situation, children and young people can develop awareness of linguistic diversity and of their own linguistic competence.

Norwegian Sign Language is an autonomous subject with core skills and competence aims exclusive to the subject. The Norwegian Sign Language Curriculum should also be seen in the context of the Norwegian Subject Curriculum for the Hearing Impaired. In combination the two languages provide the necessary foundations for the tuition of pupils who will go on to become functionally bilingual in Norwegian society. The two languages should also help create a basis for multilingualism and provide opportunities for participation in international arenas.