Norwegian language conflict

The nineteenth-century debate over whether Norway should retain Danish-based written language or establish a written standard grounded in Norwegian speech.

Bokmål: One of Norway’s two written standards, developed from the Danish-influenced language used in Norway. It represents the gradual Norwegianization of the inherited Danish written tradition.
Denmark–Norway: A composite state that united the kingdoms of Denmark and Norway from 1537 until 1814. Its centuries of rule explain why Danish remained Norway’s written language.
Norwegian Language Council: A Norwegian public body that advises on language policy and the development of written standards. Its work reflects continuing efforts to manage the standards’ relationship and development.
Dano-Norwegian: The Danish-influenced written and spoken language that developed among Norway’s educated urban population. It connects the inherited Danish standard to later Norwegianized writing.
Nynorsk: One of Norway’s two written standards, built chiefly from Norwegian dialects. It represents the alternative project of constructing a written standard from spoken Norwegian.
Treaty of Kiel: The 1814 treaty that transferred Norway from Denmark to the Swedish king. The transfer sharpened questions about Norway’s political and cultural independence.
Samnorsk: A proposed common Norwegian written language formed by merging Bokmål and Nynorsk. It was a political attempt to resolve the conflict through convergence.
Language purism: The effort to reduce perceived foreign influence in a language’s vocabulary, grammar, or writing. Aasen’s project reflected a stronger break from Danish influence than gradual reform did.
Knud Knudsen: A Norwegian educator and language reformer who advocated adapting Danish writing toward Norwegian speech. His reform approach helped shape the standard that became Bokmål.
Constitution of Norway: Norway’s constitution, adopted on 17 May 1814. Political self-government made the absence of a distinct written Norwegian standard more conspicuous.

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