Why don’t Norwegians correct you when you speak Norwegian?

Learning Norwegian isn’t always easy.
Pronunciation, for example, is often a challenge. Understanding, memorizing, and correctly using grammar can also be demanding, while it takes time and effort to learn new words and expressions. Many times, the journey toward mastering the language can feel long.

That’s why many learners wish for a bit of help along the way. A simple example? Being corrected when they make a mistake.

However, as a teacher, I’ve often heard students say they feel like no one corrects them when they speak Norwegian. But why is that? Why don’t Norwegians point out mistakes? Have you ever thought about that?

If you live in Norway and speak even a little Norwegian, you’ve probably experienced one of these two things:

1. The Norwegian answers you in English.
2. They respond in Norwegian, smiling politely and nodding—even if what you said wasn’t quite right.

In the first case, switching to English might be frustrating. They might do it because they’re in a hurry or because it’s something important and they want to be sure they understand you.

In the second case—which is more common—you may have had this familiar experience: you say something with mistakes, and the Norwegian smiles, nods encouragingly, and says “Yes!” enthusiastically. But… why?

There are several reasons:
First of all, the main goal of spoken communication is understanding. If the message gets across, everyone’s happy! That’s why you get the smile—even when there are mistakes—because they did understand you. It can feel confusing, but to your conversation partner, the goal has been achieved.

Also, it’s not always easy to correct someone during a conversation. It interrupts the flow, you might forget what you wanted to say, or it might feel awkward. It’s not as simple as it seems. Some Norwegians even feel it’s impolite to interrupt or correct someone. Instead, they prefer to encourage you with: “Wow, your Norwegian is really good!”

All of these reasons help explain why you may not be getting corrected as often as you’d like.

The truth is, we Greeks tend to correct foreigners more readily when they speak Greek—and sometimes we even enjoy taking on the role of the teacher. But not all cultures are like that. Norwegians are generally more reserved and subtle in their communication.

That doesn’t mean you can’t ask to be corrected!
If you do, it can really help. When they know you’re giving them the “green light,” they’ll feel more comfortable giving you little tips or corrections.

Give it a try! Most Norwegians are kind and willing to help.