What would EU membership mean for the Icelandic language?

Upon membership, Icelandic would become one of the official languages of the EU. EU legislation and key documents would be translated into Icelandic and interpretation into Icelandic would be offered at numerous EU meetings.

In a committee opinion of the majority of the Althing's Foreign Affairs Committee from 2009, it was stated that in light of the information had gathered, there was no reason to believe that EU membership would lead to any changes to cultural affairs or to the Icelandic language as Iceland already participates in nearly all EU cooperation concerning culture and has for decades.

In fact, the committee opinion points out that the opposite could be claimed. Strengthening, nurturing and preserving the cultural characteristics of EU Member States and various ethnic groups is a part of the EU's general policy as well as its cultural policy. This is seen as a priority matter and is reflected in the EU's various funding programmes. The majority of the Foreign Affairs Committee, nevertheless, emphasised that the Icelandic government must protect the Icelandic language, its culture and national customs during the accession negotiations with the European Union in 2009 - 2013.

In this context, the committee majority emphasised that the Icelandic language should become one of the official languages of the European Union, which would entail the translation of official documents into the Icelandic language, as well as interpretation into Icelandic at EU related meetings. The Foreign Affairs Committee called on Icelandic academia to start organising academic programmes to ensure Iceland could meet the requirements concerning language interpreters and translators. The Foreign Affairs Committee also considered it important to consider publishing all EU legislation in the Icelandic language as quickly as possible, which would be a considerable change from the previous norm as a significant amount of time typically passes between adoption of acts within the EEA and the publication of the same act in Icelandic.

Since 2009, good progress has been made in translating and publishing EEA acts in a timely manner.

It can reasonably be expected that by formally recognising the Icelandic language as one of the EU's official languages would strengthen the position of the Icelandic language. The EU's emphasis on preserving cultural and linguistic diversity within the Union could as well further strengthen the position of the Icelandic language, including in the context of digital technology.

A stronger position of the Icelandic language as an official language of the EU would also mean that a part of the Icelandic advocacy for its national interests could take place in Icelandic, which would establish to a more equal footing with other Member States in the European Union.