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In:Handbook of Terminology: Volume 4. Terminology planning in Europe
Edited by Rossella Resi and Frieda Steurs
[Handbook of Terminology 4] 2025
► pp. 42–57

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Nordic added value in terminology planning

The Nordic case

 | University of Bergen
Published online: 26 September 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/hot.4.nor1
Abstract
Terminology planning in the Nordic countries has, for decades, been characterised by close collaboration, facilitated since the mid-1970s by the Nordterm network. This network connects the Nordic terminology organisations and fosters cooperation in terminology work, research, and training. The Nordic countries have developed robust methodologies and tools for terminology management, such as the Danterm knowledge management systems in Denmark, as well as national terminological infrastructures, such as TEPA in Finland, Rikstermbanken in Sweden and Termportalen in Norway. These efforts strengthen standardisation and harmonisation of terminology across domains and organisations, both nationally and internationally. This chapter outlines collaborative bodies and regulations that underpin Nordic language cooperation and the Nordic “added value” and provides some highlights of Nordic terminology planning.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Presence of Nordic collaboration in legislation, regulations and language policies
  • 3.Nordic value added in terminology planning
    • 3.1Nordterm
    • 3.2Nordic terminology planning initiatives
    • 3.3Joint Nordic terminology training
  • 4.Highlights from the Nordic cases
    • 4.1The Danish case: Rise and Fall — Lessons Learnt
    • 4.2The Finnish case: Terminology planning from term-smithing to supporting interoperability
    • 4.3The Icelandic case: A tale of enthusiastic experts and puristic professionals
    • 4.4The Norwegian case: From ‘clarity and consistency’ to ‘domain loss’
    • 4.5The Sámi case: Planning Terminology for Northern Minority Languages
    • 4.6The Swedish case: From separate to separated — terminology planning in Swedish
  • 5.Concluding remarks
  • References
References (33)
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