Book Your First Nynorsk Lesson at NLS Norwegian Language School
The Norwegian language exists in two official written standards: Bokmål and Nynorsk. While Bokmål is more widely spoken and written, Nynorsk holds significant cultural and historical importance, particularly in western Norway. For learners aiming for a comprehensive understanding of Norwegian language and culture, or those with specific interests in regions where Nynorsk is prevalent, embarking on a Nynorsk learning journey is a rewarding endeavor. NLS Norwegian Language School is dedicated to providing high-quality instruction in both Norwegian standards, and our Nynorsk courses are designed to equip students with the skills and confidence to navigate this vibrant linguistic landscape.
The Genesis of Nynorsk
Nynorsk, meaning “New Norwegian,” emerged in the mid-19th century as a conscious effort to create a unified written language based on the most conservative dialects of Norwegian. This movement was spearheaded by Ivar Aasen, a linguist and poet, who traveled extensively throughout Norway, collecting and analyzing its spoken dialects. Aasen’s aim was to construct a written language that represented the common linguistic heritage of the Norwegian people, free from Danish influences that had dominated written Norwegian for centuries during periods of union with Denmark. His work culminated in the publication of Ordbog over det norske Folkesprog (Dictionary of the Norwegian Folk Language) and Prøver af Landsmaalet (Samples of the National Language), laying the foundation for modern Nynorsk.
Distinctive Features of Nynorsk
Nynorsk exhibits several key differences from Bokmål, which are rooted in its dialectal origins. These include:
Pronoun Variations
- Personal Pronouns: Nynorsk often utilizes different forms for personal pronouns compared to Bokmål. For instance, the third-person singular masculine pronoun in Bokmål is ‘han,’ while in Nynorsk it is also ‘han.’ However, for the third-person feminine singular pronoun, Bokmål uses ‘hun,’ whereas Nynorsk employs ‘ho.’ Plural forms also display variations; for example, the first-person plural pronoun in Bokmål is ‘vi,’ while in Nynorsk it is ‘me.’
- Possessive Pronouns: Possessive pronouns also show divergence. While Bokmål uses ‘hans’ (his), ‘hennes’ (hers), and ‘deres’ (their’s), Nynorsk might use ‘hans,’ ‘hennar,’ and ‘deira.’
Verb Conjugations
- Present Tense: Nynorsk verbs in the present tense often end in ‘-er’ or ‘-ar,’ similar to some dialects, whereas Bokmål more consistently uses ‘-er.’ For example, å snakke (to speak) becomes snakkar in Nynorsk present tense and snakker in Bokmål.
- Past Tense: The past tense of strong verbs in Nynorsk frequently retains older forms that reflect dialectal variations. For instance, the past tense of å syngje (to sing) in Bokmål is song, while in Nynorsk it can be song or s
ng. - Past Participle: The past participle also often displays unique endings in Nynorsk, such as ‘-t’ or no ending at all, unlike the consistent ‘-t’ or ‘-tt’ in Bokmål for many verbs.
Noun Declensions and Gender
- Gender Distribution: While both Bokmål and Nynorsk have three grammatical genders (masculine, feminine, neuter), the assignment of gender to nouns can differ. For example, a word that is masculine in Bokmål might be feminine or neuter in Nynorsk, and vice-versa. This impacts the form of articles and adjectives used with the noun.
- Definite Forms: The definite forms of nouns in Nynorsk are often derived directly from the dialectal forms and can be quite distinct from Bokmål. For instance, the definite masculine singular of bil (car) in Bokmål is bilen, while in Nynorsk it might be bilen or bilen depending on the specific dialectal influence integrated into the standard, but the singular indefinite form remains bil. A common example of difference is the feminine singular definite form of ei gate (a street), which is gata in Bokmål and gata in Nynorsk.
Vocabulary and Word Formation
- Loanwords: Nynorsk tends to be more conservative in its adoption of loanwords, particularly from Danish and German, favoring native Norwegian vocabulary where possible.
- Dialectal Lexicon: Nynorsk incorporates a richer array of words derived from the dialects that informed
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