Here are Nynorsk courses offered by the NLS Norwegian Language School:
- Beginner Nynorsk: This course is designed for individuals with no prior knowledge of Norwegian, specifically focusing on the Nynorsk written standard. It covers foundational grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
- Intermediate Nynorsk: Building upon beginner principles, this course delves deeper into Nynorsk grammar, sentence construction, and idiomatic expressions. It aims to enhance fluency and comprehension in reading and writing.
- Advanced Nynorsk: For those seeking mastery, this advanced course focuses on nuanced Nynorsk usage, including specific dialects, literary styles, and complex grammatical structures. It also addresses translation techniques from other languages into Nynorsk.
- Nynorsk for Specific Purposes: This specialized track offers tailored Nynorsk instruction for professional needs, such as academic writing, business communication, or specific industry terminology in Nynorsk.
- Nynorsk Conversation Practice: This course focuses purely on developing oral fluency and conversational skills in Nynorsk through guided discussions, role-playing, and interactive exercises.
The Norwegian language landscape is a fascinating one, characterized by its two official written standards: Bokmål and Nynorsk. While distinct, they are not entirely separate entities, and understanding the relationship between them is crucial for anyone engaging with Norwegian. For learners and speakers accustomed to Bokmål, transitioning to Nynorsk can present a unique set of cognitive challenges. This is not a matter of linguistic superiority, but rather the inherent nature of adapting to a different, yet related, linguistic system. The process requires conscious effort, consistent practice, and a willingness to embrace new grammatical structures and vocabulary. This article outlines a structured approach to shifting your thinking from Bokmål to Nynorsk, focusing on practical strategies and underlying linguistic principles.
Understanding the Divergence: Why Two Standards?
The existence of two written standards in Norwegian is a historical and socio-cultural phenomenon, not an accident of linguistic evolution. Bokmål, literally “book language,” has its roots in Dano-Norwegian and evolved from the language used by the educated elite during Danish rule. Nynorsk, meaning “new Norwegian,” emerged in the mid-19th century as an attempt to create a uniquely Norwegian written language based on rural dialects. This historical context is important because it explains why the two standards, while sharing a common underlying Norwegian grammar and a significant portion of vocabulary, exhibit divergences in certain areas. Recognizing these foundational differences is the first step towards a successful mental recalibration.
The Historical Genesis of Bokmål
Bokmål’s development is intrinsically linked to Norway’s centuries-long union with Denmark. Danish was the language of administration, education, and high culture, leading to a substantial infusion of Danish vocabulary and grammatical structures into the spoken and written Norwegian of the time. Even after Norway gained independence, the established written tradition of Dano-Norwegian, which became Bokmål, remained dominant for a significant period. This lineage means that many Bokmål words have closer cognates to Danish and, consequently, other Germanic languages influenced by Danish. Understanding this historical trajectory helps explain why certain words might feel more familiar or less “purely Norwegian” when compared to their Nynorsk counterparts. It implies a gradual assimilation and adaptation rather than a complete linguistic break.
The Ideological Foundation of Nynorsk
In contrast, Nynorsk was a deliberate, consciously constructed linguistic project. Linguist Ivar Aasen embarked on a nationwide journey to collect and analyze the vernacular dialects spoken across Norway. His aim was to identify common features and create a unified written standard that reflected the living language of the majority of the population, particularly in rural areas. This approach resulted in Nynorsk drawing heavily from the more conservative dialects, which had retained more archaic Norwegian features. The creation of Nynorsk was not merely a linguistic pursuit but also a significant cultural and nationalistic endeavor, aiming to establish a distinct Norwegian identity in written form. This deliberate construction means that Nynorsk often exhibits grammatical structures and vocabulary that are perceived as more directly descended from Old Norse.
The Interplay and Convergence
Despite their distinct origins, Bokmål and Nynorsk are not mutually exclusive. Norwegian law mandates that both standards are to be treated with equal respect and that public institutions must accommodate users of either. This has led to a degree of mutual influence and, in some instances, convergence. Many words and grammatical forms are identical in both standards. Furthermore, the official language policies have encouraged a degree of “språklig realisme,” meaning that the written language has evolved to incorporate elements that make it more accessible across both standards. However, significant differences remain, particularly in verb conjugations, noun declensions, and certain core vocabulary. Recognizing these points of divergence is precisely where the cognitive challenge of switching your thinking lies.
Embracing the Grammatical Differences
The most apparent and often challenging aspect of switching from Bokmål to Nynorsk lies in their grammatical structures, particularly verb conjugations and noun declensions. Bokmål often defaults to forms that are closer to Danish or have undergone simplification. Nynorsk, in its pursuit of a more “original” Norwegian, frequently retains older grammatical features. Approaching these differences systematically is key.
Verb Conjugations: A New Rhythm
In Bokmål, past tense verbs are typically formed by adding “-et” or “-te” to the infinitive (e.g., å snakke – snakket, å leve – levde). Nynorsk, however, often employs different past tense endings and, more notably, distinct past participle forms. For instance, where Bokmål might use har snakket, Nynorsk often uses har snakka. The past participle forms in Nynorsk can diverge significantly, requiring memorization and practice. Furthermore, Nynorsk often retains more distinct verb conjugations for different persons in the past tense, although this is less common in modern usage compared to the infinitive and past participle forms. The imperative mood also showcases variations. Where Bokmål typically uses the infinitive form for imperatives (Snakk!), Nynorsk often uses a distinct imperative form that can differ from the infinitive. Understanding these shifts requires active engagement with lists of irregular verbs and consistent application in sentence construction.
The Past Tense Paradigm Shift
The past tense is a primary area of divergence. Bokmål’s reliance on a more uniform “-et/-te” ending for regular verbs contrasts with Nynorsk’s more varied approach. Some Nynorsk verbs will adopt similar endings, but others will have unique forms that reflect their dialectal origins. For example, the Bokmål verb å skrive (to write) has the past tense skrev, and the past participle skrevet. In Nynorsk, the past tense is skreiv, and the past participle is skrive. This fundamental difference in past tense formation and particularly the past participle requires dedicated study. It’s not simply about adding a different suffix; it’s about recognizing a new pattern of inflection.
Gerunds and Part
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