Introduction: Multilingual encounters in Northern Norway

Norway has always been a multilingual society; Sámi languages have been spoken in vast geographical areas since prehistoric times, the Kven and other historical minority groups settled in the country, the Norwegian language has a great variety of dialects and the long coastline has eased mobility and enabled multiple multilingual encounters lasting short or long periods of time. In recent years, migrants from all over the world have become part of Norwegian society (Bull and Lindgren 2009). The practice and evaluation of multilingualism in its broadest sense have changed over the years, and new arenas in which multilingual encounters take place have emerged. The articles in this issue of Acta Borealia highlight a handful of aspects of these developments, as seen from the point of view of contemporary Northern Norway. The articles are written by members of the Multilingual North: Diversity, Education and Revitalization (MultiNor) research group at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.