Landsmål

Landsmål. Landsmål was a constructed Norwegian language standard created in the 19th century by the linguist and poet Ivar Aasen. It was developed as a distinct written language based on a synthesis of rural West Norwegian and Central Norwegian dialects, intended as a national alternative to the dominant Dano-Norwegian of the time. The language was officially recognized alongside Riksmål in 1885 and later renamed Nynorsk in 1929, becoming one of Norway's two official written standards.

History and development

The creation of Landsmål was a direct response to Norway's complex linguistic situation following the Dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1814 and the preceding centuries under Denmark–Norway. Ivar Aasen, a largely self-taught linguist from Høydalsmo in Telemark, embarked on extensive fieldwork across rural Norway, documented in works like Det norske Folkesprogs Grammatik and Ordbog over det norske Folkesprog. His goal was to construct a written norm based on authentic Norwegian dialects, particularly those of Western Norway and the Uplands, which he saw as purer from Danish influence than the elite Kristiania speech. The language gained a political and cultural movement, the Målrørsla, with support from figures like Arne Garborg and Aasmund Olavsson Vinje. Key milestones included its first official orthographic standard in 1901 and its adoption in the Church of Norway and many municipalities.

Relationship to other Norwegian language forms

Landsmål was conceived as a conscious alternative to the existing written standard, then known as Riksmål, which evolved from the Dano-Norwegian used by the urban elite in cities like Kristiania and Bergen. This created Norway's enduring Norwegian language conflict. While Riksmål (later Bokmål) was rooted in the written Danish language adapted with Norwegian pronunciation, Landsmål drew directly from Old Norse via rural dialects. Throughout the 20th century, numerous committees, such as those leading to the Norwegian language reforms of 1938, attempted to merge the two forms into a common Samnorsk, a policy largely abandoned by the 1960s. Today, its successor Nynorsk coexists with Bokmål under the official language policy set by the Norwegian Language Council.

Linguistic characteristics

Linguistically, Landsmål was characterized by its conservative West Scandinavian phonological and morphological features, setting it apart from the East Scandinavian-influenced Dano-Norwegian. It typically used the feminine gender, triple gender system, and synthetic verb forms like the preterite without the Danish-inspired suffixed definite article. Its vocabulary was heavily drawn from Norwegian dialects, with words like "ikkje" (not) and "hus" (house) instead of the Riksmål "ikke" and "hjem". The syntax and word order often reflected patterns found in dialects of regions like Sogn og Fjordane and Møre og Romsdal. Its orthography, as codified by Ivar Aasen, aimed for a phonemic representation of these dialectal foundations.

Role in Norwegian culture and society

Landsmål played a pivotal role in the Norwegian romantic nationalism of the 19th century, symbolizing cultural independence and connection to the Norwegian peasantry. It fostered a significant literary revival, with major works by Arne Garborg (e.g., Haugtussa), Aasmund Olavsson Vinje, and later Tarjei Vesaas. The language became central to institutions like the Det Norske Teatret in Oslo and newspapers such as Dag og Tid. Its use was promoted by organizations like Noregs Mållag and became a marker of regional identity, particularly in areas of Western Norway and the Fjords of Norway. The language debate often intersected with broader political cleavages, finding support from the Liberal Party of Norway and later left-wing movements.

Standardization and official status

The standardization process began with Aasen's own grammars and dictionaries but was formalized by state-appointed committees. The first official orthography was ratified by the Storting in 1901. Subsequent reforms in 1917, 1938, and 1959, overseen by bodies like the Norwegian Language Council, adjusted its rules. Its official status was cemented by the 1885 parliamentary resolution declaring it equal to Riksmål, a principle embedded in later laws. In 1929, it was renamed Nynorsk by parliamentary decree. Today, Nynorsk remains one of two official written standards, used in government documents, public broadcasting by NRK, and as the primary language of instruction in many municipalities, particularly in Hordaland, Rogaland, and Sogn og Fjordane. Category:Norwegian language Category:Constructed languages Category:Language policy