[Versió no oficial en anglès / Unofficial version in English]

LANGUAGE LAW 2009:600

The contents and purpose of the law

1 § This law contains provisions concerning the Swedish language, the national minority languages and the Swedish Sign Language. The law also contains provisions concerning the responsibility of the public authorities to ensure the individual’s access to language and the use of language in the functioning of public authorities and in international situations.

2 § The purpose of the law is to specify the positions of Swedish and other languages within the Swedish society. The law also aims at preserving Swedish and the linguistic diversity in Sweden and the individual’s access to languages.

3 § If another law or regulation does not contain provisions deviating from this law, these regulations shall have precedence.

The Swedish language

4 § Swedish is the main language of Sweden.

5 § As the main language Swedish is the mutual language of the entire society. Everybody residing in Sweden shall have access to it, and using it shall be possible in all areas of society.

6 § Public authorities have a particular responsibility to ensure the usage and development of the Swedish language.

The national minority languages

7 § The national minority languages are Finnish, Yiddish, Meänkieli, Romani and Sami.

8 § Public authorities have a particular responsibility to protect and foster the national minority languages.

The Swedish Sign Language

9 § Public authorities have a particular responsibility to protect and foster the Swedish Sign Language.

The use of language in public activities

10 § The language in courts, public administrative authorities and other bodies carrying out tasks within public administration is Swedish.

In another law there are particular provisions regarding the right of use of national minority languages and other Nordic languages.

Concerning the obligation of courts and public administrative authorities to acquire the services of translators and to translate documents there are particular provisions.

11 § The language used in public activities shall be attended/cared for, simple and comprehensible.

12 § Public authorities have a particular responsibility to ensure that within their respective areas Swedish terminology is available, used and developed.

Swedish in international contexts

13 § Swedish is Sweden's official language in international contexts.

The individual's access to language

14 § Anyone residing in Sweden shall be given the opportunity to learn, develop and use Swedish. In addition to that

1. members of national minorities shall be given the opportunity to learn, develop and use the national minority language, and

2. those who are deaf or hearing-impaired or by any other reasons have a need of sign language shall be given the opportunity to learn, develop and use the Swedish sign language.

Those with another mother tongue than the languages specified in the first paragraph shall be given the opportunity to develop and use their native language.

15 § Public authorities are responsible to ensure the individual's access to language in accordance with 14 §.

This law comes into force 1 july 2009.