Icelandic is a North Germanic language primarily spoken in Iceland. It’s renowned for its historical continuity, remaining relatively unchanged since medieval times. While it’s not a widely spoken language globally, it is rich in history, literature, and cultural significance.

Brief History and Origins:

• Icelandic is descended from Old Norse, the language of the Vikings.
• It was brought to Iceland in the 9th and 10th centuries by Norse settlers.
• While other North Germanic languages (like Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish) underwent significant changes over the centuries, Icelandic has preserved many of the features of Old Norse, making medieval Icelandic sagas comprehensible to modern Icelandic speakers.

Number of Speakers: 

• As of the last count, there are approximately 350,000 native Icelandic speakers.
• While this number may seem small, it represents the vast majority of Iceland’s population.

Where It Is an Official Language:

• Icelandic is the official language of Iceland.
• It is also one of the official languages of the Nordic Council, a regional body for inter-parliamentary cooperation among the Nordic countries.

Example of Text:

“Þetta er dæmi um íslenskan texta.”
(Translation: “This is an example of Icelandic text.”)

Where and How It Is Used:

• In Iceland: Naturally, Icelandic is the dominant language in all spheres of life in Iceland – from education and government to media and everyday conversation.
• Literature: Iceland has a rich literary history, from the sagas of the medieval period to modern novels, poetry, and other forms of written expression.
• Music: Many Icelandic musicians and bands sing in Icelandic, even those who have gained international fame, like Björk and Sigur Rós.
• Education: Icelandic is taught as a first language in schools, but students also learn English and other languages as secondary languages.

English Words in Icelandic:

• With the advent of technology and globalisation, Icelandic has borrowed some words from English. Often these borrowed words are adapted to Icelandic phonetics and grammar: “Tölvupóstur” (literally “computer post”) for “email”. “Bíti” from “byte”.
• However, the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies frequently invents new Icelandic terms for modern concepts to limit foreign borrowings.

Icelandic Words in English:  

Though it’s not common for Icelandic words to be absorbed into English, there are a few exceptions:

• “Geysir” – The English word “geyser” comes from “Geysir”, the name of a particular geyser in Iceland. It’s derived from the Icelandic verb “geysa”, meaning “to gush”.
• “Saga” – While the English meaning refers broadly to any long story, it means a specific kind of epic historical tale in Icelandic and Old Norse.

 

While spoken by a small population, the Icelandic language has a rich history and continues to be a vital part of Icelandic identity and culture. Its deep roots in Old Norse give it a unique position among European languages, offering a window into the world of the Vikings and the early history of Scandinavia.

 

Some linguists believe Icelandic is a relatively insular language, as other languages have not heavily influenced it. Because of this, it is still relatively easy for Icelandic speakers to read and understand Icelandic texts from hundreds of years ago. Unlike the majority of other languages, Icelandic does not usually incorporate words from other languages and is seen by some as a dying language outside of Iceland. Although many Icelandic residents also speak additional languages such as English, Dutch or Norwegian, translating content into a speaker’s mother tongue should not be underestimated.

Here at Brightlines, we’ve helped brands like Microsoft, De Beers, and GE Healthcare do just that.