spellingnormen

Spellingnormen, or spelling norms, are the set of rules that govern how words are spelled in the standard written form of a language. They specify which letters to use, how words are hyphenated, when to capitalize, how to punctuate, and often which diacritics or ligatures are permitted. Spelling norms are prescriptive in nature: they guide writers toward a uniform orthography and are used in education, publishing, media, and official communication.

Authorities and governance vary by language. In many languages, spelling norms are codified by official bodies, language unions, or central educational authorities, sometimes with support from major dictionaries or style guides. Examples include language unions or academies that publish official spelling lists and reform proposals, as well as national ministries of education that adopt these norms for schools. The outcome is a standardized written form that aims to balance tradition, readability, and ease of use.

Change and reform are common features of spelling norms. Reforms may respond to shifts in pronunciation, loanword adaptation, or attempts to simplify spellings. Proposals typically undergo review and public consultation before being published in official guides or dictionary editions. While spelling norms are prescriptive, actual usage can vary by region, publication, or register, and over time norms may adapt to reflect evolving language use.

Spelling norms interrelate with broader concepts of orthography and standard language. They are part of language planning and are taught to achieve consistency in education and official documentation, while descriptive studies of language use monitor real-world spelling patterns. Related topics include orthography, standardization, and language policy.