Facts about Norway

Population: 4,5 milj.
386 956 km2
10 f the population is hard of hearing/
hearing impaired

Where do interpreters work in
Norway today?

- At the interpreters service centers.
There is one such center in each county,
amounting to a total of nineteen. The
service centers serve users on all
levels: doctor’s visits, hospitals, schools,
universities and colleges, work, social
events, lectures, seminars etc.

- On a freelance basis. Freelance interpreters in Norway get assignments from the service centers. In most cases, the service centers also provide the freelancers’ salaries.

- At workplaces. The interpreters are
directly employed by workplaces that
have a certain number of deaf employees.
Although the government pays them, there
are many private enterprises involved in
such arrangements. Currently there are
nine institutions and businesses that have
interpreters employed.

- In high schools. The government pays these interpreters via various counties, as these are responsible for education at the high school level.
(Source: Linda Stadshaug in SVT publication Kielisilta 1/2005, Finland)


 

 

 

 

 

 

Country Report Norway

Area: 385 199 km²
Population: 4 660 000
Sign Language users: 6.000
Interpreters actively working: 450
Members of Tolkeforbundet: 400

More than 50% of the interpreters are working freelance, the rest are divided between different companies- employed as interpreter for the deaf staff or employed at the National Insurance Administration. Even though they are employed different places, they are all paid thru the same system. There are some freelancers who interpret for NRK, National Broadcasting Company, and are also paid by them.

Tolkeforbundet (Norwegian Association for Sign language interpreters) are a Interest Organisation but we cooperate with a trade union, which mediate on behalf of us. Our Association was funded 33 years ago.

Our education started with a five week course, it evolved over the years till one year then two years and then a couple of years ago till a three year study and a Bachelor degree.
Now it is possible to study three different places, University in Oslo or Bergen or at University College in Trondheim.

Our Association has a magazine; it is published 6 times a year and is self-sufficient due to ads.  

Current topics:

  • Waiting for audit concerning salary for freelance interpreters from the Ministry of Health. The 5th of October we will know if this has been taken in to the state budget. If not, we will have a week long political demonstration, where the freelance interpreters will lay down their work.
  • Work with the ethical guidelines.
  • Continuous work with the plan of action.
  • Representation in different workgroups dealing with different topics related to interpretation, example: the guide-interpreter role.

What’s happening in Norway:

  • Workplace interpreters; New Project.
  • Video relay service