Linguistic norms, identity practices and language planning

1. The recent terror attack in Norway was perpetrated by a native-born Norwegian racist and self-avowed opponent of multiculturalism in Europe. It is against this tragic backdrop that we contemplate the role of hip hop culture in the ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversification of nation states like Norway and how it compares with the United States where hip hop originated and where there is also a longer history of cultural and ethnic difference as well a conflict. At this juncture, it seems particula rly imperative to ask whether hip hop culture can facilitate greater understanding by providing a way for young people to signal social and discursive stances, express solidarity and embrace new, multicultural identities. This chapter explores some of the commonalities and contrasts between Norway and the US in terms of what function hip hop and its associated speech styles and norms play in the construction of youth identities. 2. The primary focus of this paper will be the reception of the two most rece nt Nynorsk language reform proposals (2002, 2011). The 2002 proposal was met with significant resistance and was eventually rejected by the Ministry of Culture in 2005. When a new committee was appointed in 2009, important changes were made with respect to the mandate, procedure and the composition of the committee. The intention was to increase the legitimacy of the proposal by including what Linn (2010) calls "the voice from below" in all stages of the reform process. As the committee has concluded its work, it is essential to assess the extent to which this intention has been realized. A further issue is whether integration of the "voice from below" in the reform process has significantly affected the content of the reform proposal. 3. In the third l ine of research philosophy of language, sociolinguistics and democracy theory will be combined in an attempt to examine the conditions of legitimacy of political processes and decisions determining language norms.