Brief History and Origins:

• Norwegian, known as “norsk” in its native form, belongs to the North Germanic family of languages, often referred to as the Scandinavian languages.
• Historically, Old Norse was the language spoken in the Nordic region, from which Norwegian evolved.
• In the 13th century, Old Norse began to diversify into Old Icelandic and Old Norwegian due to the geographical and political separation of Norway and Iceland.
• By the late Middle Ages, Middle Norwegian was in use, influenced by Middle Low German due to extensive trade.
• Modern Norwegian, as we know it today, began its evolution in the 16th century.

Number of Speakers:

• Approximately 5.3 million people speak Norwegian as their first language, mostly in Norway.
• There are also small Norwegian-speaking communities in other countries due to migration.

Where it is an Official Language:

• Norway: It’s the official language of Norway. Notably, Norway has two written standards, Bokmål and Nynorsk. Bokmål is more widely used, while Nynorsk preserves more traditional Norwegian linguistic elements.
• It’s also recognised in the Nordic Council, a regional body for cooperation, though not as an official working language.

Example of Text:

Bokmål: “Hei, hvordan har du det?”
English Translation: “Hello, how are you?”

Where and How it is Used:

• Within Norway: Used in all aspects of daily life – education, media, business, government, and casual interactions.
• Literature: Norway has a rich literary history, from the sagas to contemporary authors. The language is used in all forms of written media.
• Outside Norway: Norwegian is taught in some universities around the world, especially in institutions with programmes in Scandinavian studies.

English Words in Norwegian:

Due to globalisation and cultural exchange, several English words have been absorbed into Norwegian, especially in technology and pop culture.

• Internett (Internet)
• Mobil (Mobile)
• E-post (Email)
• Kafé (Café)

Norwegian Words in English:

Some Norwegian words have found their way into English, reflecting cultural exchanges over centuries:

• Ski: Directly from the Norwegian word “ski”, which means a piece of wood or split piece of wood.
• Slalom: A word in skiing, derived from Norwegian.
• Troll: In myth, trolls are supernatural beings in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore.

Conclusion:

With its rich history and modern-day vitality, the Norwegian language remains an essential facet of Norway’s cultural identity. Its close relation to other Scandinavian languages means that speakers often find it relatively easy to understand Swedish and Danish. The blend of age-old tradition with modern influences reflects Norway’s position as a country that values its past while eagerly engaging with the future.

 

Here at Brightlines, we offer a range of translation services by Norwegian translation specialists who have used Norwegian since birth.