Knowra Norwegian language Norwegian language Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken mainly in Norway. Its two official written standards, Bokmål and Nynorsk, coexist with substantial regional variation in speech.
Bokmål : Bokmål is one of Norway’s two official written standards, shaped by Danish and Norwegian usage. It is the more widely used written standard and differs in history and conventions from Nynorsk.
Old Norse : Old Norse was the North Germanic language spoken by Scandinavians during the Viking Age and the medieval period. Norwegian descends from the western varieties of Old Norse.
Language policy in Norway : Language policy in Norway comprises laws and public measures governing language use, status, and preservation. It establishes protections and obligations concerning Bokmål, Nynorsk, and minority languages.
Danish language : Danish is a North Germanic language spoken mainly in Denmark and parts of northern Germany. Its historical influence on Norwegian writing contrasts with the close but distinct spoken languages.
Nynorsk : Nynorsk is one of Norway’s two official written standards, developed from Norwegian dialects. It offers a written standard based chiefly on Norwegian speech rather than Danish-derived writing.
Danish rule in Norway : Danish rule in Norway lasted from the late fourteenth century until 1814, when Norway entered a union with Sweden. Danish administration and writing left a lasting imprint on Norwegian written language.
Norwegian Language Act : The Norwegian Language Act is a 2022 law that protects Norwegian and promotes Bokmål, Nynorsk, and Norwegian sign language. It gives contemporary legal form to the public status of the written standards.
Swedish language : Swedish is a North Germanic language spoken mainly in Sweden and parts of Finland. Norwegian and Swedish are closely related, but differ in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
Norwegian dialects : Norwegian dialects are regional varieties of spoken Norwegian, with differences in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Strong local dialect use means spoken Norwegian has no single nationwide standard pronunciation.
Ivar Aasen : Ivar Aasen was a Norwegian linguist and poet who created the basis for Nynorsk from regional dialects. His dialect research and written standard-building shaped Nynorsk’s origins.
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