The Faroese language conflict is a phase in the history of the Faroe Islands in the first half of the 20th century (approx. 1908 to 1938). It was the political and cultural argument between the requirements of the Faroese language in general use, and the Danish language as the official language of the Faroe Islands.
At the beginning of the 20th century the position was as follows:
The language of the church, public education, the government, and the law was Danish. But Faroese was the language of the people; the orthography of Faroese had been set out by Venceslaus Hammershaimb in the middle of the 19th century, and the language had aroused Faroese nationalism since the Jólafundurin ('the Christmas Meeting') of 1888.
The conflict was chiefly not a struggle between the Faroese people and the Danes, but rather among the Faroese people themselves, and the positions were evolving with time.
Read more about Faroese Language Conflict: Political Camps, Revival As The Language of Instruction, Revival As Church Language, Equality in Legal Proceedings, Faroese in Other Areas, Summary, Literature
Famous quotes containing the words language and/or conflict:
“There’s a cool web of language winds us in,
Retreat from too much joy or too much fear:
We grow sea-green at last and coldly die
In brininess and volubility.”
—Robert Graves (1895–1985)
“Children in home-school conflict situations often receive a double message from their parents: “The school is the hope for your future, listen, be good and learn” and “the school is your enemy. . . .” Children who receive the “school is the enemy” message often go after the enemy—act up, undermine the teacher, undermine the school program, or otherwise exercise their veto power.”
—James P. Comer (20th century)