This article is an introduction to the Icelandic language, examining the classification, alphabet, vocabulary, grammar, name customs and linguistic policies.

Icelandic (íslenska) is the national language of the Republic of Iceland. It is a North Germanic language and is thought to be spoken by around 300,000 people. Most speakers are likely to live in Iceland, given 97% of inhabitants consider Icelandic as their first language. It is thought that the Icelandic spoken today is very similar to that spoken by those who first settled there in the 9th century, so much so that Icelanders today have little trouble reading ancient Icelandic texts.

Classification of Icelandic

Icelandic is an Indo-European language, and specifically belongs to the Germanic family. It can then be further classed as North Germanic (sometimes referred to as “Nordic”). Linguistically, Norwegian and Faroese are the languages closest to Icelandic.

Icelandic Alphabet

The Icelandic alphabet is very similar to English due to the Latin script being adopted in the 11th century, with the oldest preserved texts dating back to this time. There are four letters that stand out in comparison to the English alphabet:

• Ð ð - like “th” as in father
• Æ æ - sounds like “eye”
• Þ þ - “th” as in “think”
• Ö ö - “eu” as in the French “oeuf”

Icelandic Grammar

Icelandic is a complex, highly inflected language. Nouns, as well as most pronouns and adjectives, are inflected in four cases (nominative, accusative, dative and genitive) and can be either singular or plural in number. Nouns are declined in three genders (masculine, feminine or neuter), as well as most pronouns and adjectives. Verbs are constructed depending on person, tense, voice and mood. The basic word order is subject – verb – object but the inflection of the language allows for some flexibility in forming sentences.

Icelandic Vocabulary and Language Purism

Language purism forms Iceland’s linguistic policy, which aims to both preserve and develop the language. In order to retain status as the national language, it must be possible to use Icelandic in any subject area. It has been necessary to adapt the language due to rapidly developing technologies. New words (neologisms), are formed, usually from binding existing words together, rather than bringing words from other languages. Sometimes words that had previously fallen out of usage are revived and given new definitions.

Icelandic Names

Icelanders almost always refer to each other on a first name basis. Their last names are patronymic; formed using the first name of the father (or, rarely, the mother). The parent’s first name (in its possessive form) is combined with either -son (son) or -dóttir (daughter) as appropriate, so Helga and Eymundur's son Adam may be called Adam Helguson or Adam Eymundsson.

Icelandic in Other Countries

While Icelandic is mainly spoken in Iceland, there are speakers in other countries, including communities in North America and Canada. This is a result of people emigrating from Iceland to the United States and Canada during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Learning Icelandic

There are many reasons why people learn Icelandic, whether it be interest in the historical texts or plans to settle there. English and Danish are compulsory languages taught in Icelandic schools and Icelanders are generally happy to accommodate speakers of these languages.

For those interested in learning Icelandic, visit Icelandic Online for online tutorials. Read Iceland Insider for more information about travelling to Iceland.

Sources

Icelandic: at once ancient and modern: The Icelandic Language Institute, accessed 6th March 2008, no author specified

The Icelandic Language: Iceland.is, accessed 6th March 2008, no author specified