Finn-Erik Vinje, a notable figure in Norway's linguistic community, died peacefully at Bærum Hospital at the age of 90 on March 18, 2026. His son, Vetle Vinje, announced his passing on Facebook, sharing that the family would miss him dearly. Vinje had recently celebrated his 90th birthday on March 6 and was scheduled for a memorial service at Haslum crematorium in Bærum on March 26, as indicated in his obituary.

Vinje was a professor of modern Nordic languages at the University of Oslo and was known for his fearless and sometimes controversial participation in language debates via newspapers and radio. His career spanned roles as a university lecturer in cities such as Oslo, Trondheim, and Stockholm, where he merged academic pursuits with practical language advocacy. He served on the Language Council and worked as a language consultant for NRK, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, for 22 years.

Throughout his career, Vinje authored numerous books and articles, providing substantial contributions to the understanding of grammar and language history, particularly in relation to Norway's constitution. He even published a book commissioned by the Storting, Norway's parliament, on this topic. He famously articulated his advice through ten language etiquette rules, emphasizing simple yet profound insights such as "It is no shame to put a period." Vinje's legacy will endure through his influential work in the linguistics field and his advocacy for language.