Abstract

This theoretical chapter asks how considerations and policies related to languages shape science communication in two small countries, Estonia and Finland, both of which have a well-established science communication ecosystem and high levels of trust in science. The aim is to discuss how languages, trust, and diversity are intertwined in science communication practices in these small but multilingual areas. It becomes evident that in such contexts, the linguistic choices in science communication practices are tightly bound to structural characteristics of science, the education system, and public communication. For communicating scientists, a key question is mastering the small countries’ dilemma of seeking a balance between international relevance and local impact, both requiring different linguistic strategies. We also demonstrate how language policy significantly shapes the science communication strategiescommunication strategies towards linguistic minority groups. The chapter concludes that the linguistic variation used in science (communication) is heterogeneous and reflects the rapidly changing societies’ varying linguistic practices.