UNC, Sept. 26, Language Variation in Norway: Bokmål and Nynorsk Tore Nesset University of Tromsø, Norway

Europe

3 Languages in the Nordic Countries Sami Norwegian Swedish Danish Finnish

UNC, Sept. 26, Two varieties of Norwegian: Bokmål (“Book language”) and Nynorsk (“New Norwegian”) 1.Relate to typology of linguistic variation 2.Describe and compare 3.Historical background

UNC, Sept. 26, Take-home message: The Bokmål-Nynorsk variation has nothing to do with communicative needs... has everything to do with cultural and political factors in past and present

UNC, Sept. 26, Typology of Language variation 1 Standard language Non-standardized language Explicit norms Codified in grammars and dictionaries Taught in school Implicit rules in speakers’ minds Not codified in grammars and dictionaries Acquired by children in natural environment

UNC, Sept. 26, Typology of Language variation 2 Variation among –Individuals (idiolects) –Groups Variation with regard to –Geography (dialects) –Social factors (sociolects) –Time (language change)

UNC, Sept. 26, Typology of Language variation 3 Standardization Group Non- standardized Standard Geography Social factors Time dialects sociolects Language change Bokmål and Nynorsk

UNC, Sept. 26, Part 2: Description and Comparison

UNC, Sept. 26, Two standard varieties Both are varieties of Standard Norwegian: –Explicit norms –Codified in grammars and dictionaries –Taught in schools Both are mainly used in writing: –Little tradition for normalized speech in Norway –Exceptions: News in TV/radio, theater

UNC, Sept. 26, Differences: Vocabulary English:Bokmål:Nynorsk: Wh itemshv... [v]kv [kv] Notikkeikkje Iegjeg wevivi/me You guysderede Theydedei Stillfremdelesframleis

UNC, Sept. 26, Differences: Derivational Morphology Affixes of Danish/German origin are not welcome in Nynorsk: –English:“Love”“Condition” –Bokmål:“kjærlighet”“betingelse” –Nynorsk:“kjærleik“vilkår”

UNC, Sept. 26, Differences: Inflection English:Bokmål:Nynorsk: a chairen stolein stol the chairstol-en chairsstol-erstol-ar the chairsstol-enestol-ane

UNC, Sept. 26, Differences: Inflection English:Bokmål:Nynorsk: a chairen stolein stol the chairstol-en chairsstol-erstol-ar the chairsstol-enestol-ane

UNC, Sept. 26, Differences: Syntax Passive sentences are formed differently: English:The house is being built. Bokmål:Huset bygg-es. Nynorsk:Huset vert/blir bygd.

UNC, Sept. 26, Bokmål and Nynorsk are similar 1 Both varieties overlap to a large extent: –Vocabulary –Derivational affixes –Inflection –Syntax Both varieties accept alternative forms, some of which are identical

UNC, Sept. 26, Bokmål and Nynorsk are similar 2 Eng:The lady is standing by the door. Bm:Damenstårveddøren. Nyn:Damastendveddøri. Bm/Nyn:Damastårveddøra.

UNC, Sept. 26, Bokmål and Nynorsk are similar 3 Nynorsk elements Bokmål elements Shared elements

UNC, Sept. 26, Legal status Both are official varieties Use regulated by law (of 1930/80, url):url –State employees shall use both varieties –Forms and information available in both varieties –At least 25% of each variety in correspondence and official documents –Monitored by the government

UNC, Sept. 26, Legal status 2 If an institution does not follow the law, it receives a letter from the government and has to promise to do better in the future. Example: University of Tromsø:

UNC, Sept. 26, Status in schools Regulated by law (url)(url) Parents choose the variety to be used in a school in referendums. If 10 pupils want the other variety, a separate group is established. In 9th-13th grade all pupils study both varieties (a “primary” and a “secondary”). Final exam in high school includes obligatory essays in both varieties.

UNC, Sept. 26, Pupils with Nynorsk as primary variety Source: Torp/Vikør: Hovuddrag i norsk språkhistorie, Oslo 2003, p. 208

23 Core Area for Nynorsk Source: Torp/Vikør: Hovuddrag i norsk språkhistorie, Oslo 2003, p. 209 Rural west coast/ mountain area

UNC, Sept. 26, Summarizing part 2 Bokmål and Nynorsk are varieties of standard Norwegian. Large extent of overlap Use in government institutions enforced by law. Both varieties taught in schools. Nynorsk represents 15% minority. Nynorsk represents rural periphery.

UNC, Sept. 26, Typology of Language variation Standardization Group Non- standardized Standard Geography Social factors Time dialects sociolects Language change Bokmål and Nynorsk

UNC, Sept. 26, Part 3: Historical background

UNC, Sept. 26, Outline of Norwegian history :Independent Norway :Danish rule :Union with Sweden 1905-:Independent Norway Old Norse flourishes Standard language: Danish Do we have a standard language? Bokmål and Nynorsk

UNC, Sept. 26, : A Nation without a Standard Language Strategy 1:“Norwegianize” Danish Problem:Sufficiently Norwegian? Strategy 2:Create a new Norwegian standard language based on dialects and Old Norse Problem:Practical? So what do we do? Both, of course!

UNC, Sept. 26, Ivar Aasen and the Creation of Nynorsk School teacher and self-taught linguist Born in Ørsta, Western Norway :Collecting dialect material in southern Norway 1864:Norwegian grammar 1870:Norwegian dictionary

UNC, Sept. 26, Knud Knudsen and the Emergence of Bokmål High school teacher with degree from University of Oslo Born in Tvedestrand, Eastern Norway 1856:Handbook in Dano- Norwegian grammar

UNC, Sept. 26, Later development 1885:Parliament gives equal status to both varieties as standard varieties :Attempts to bring the two varieties closer to each other :Vehement protests among Bokmål supporters 1965-:Rapprochement policy abandoned

UNC, Sept. 26, Language and Identity The language question stirs up a lot of emotions. How come? Language is more than a means for communication. Language is associated with values, which individuals and groups may or may not identify themselves with. Language is part of speakers’ identity.

UNC, Sept. 26, Conclusions Bokmål/Nynorsk cannot be understood in purely linguistic/communicative terms. The situation is a product of cultural and socio-political historical developments And how these factors shape our identity.