Norwegian Academy's dictionary

Norwegian Academy's dictionary
Name	Norwegian Academy's dictionary
Author	Norwegian Academy for Language and Literature
Country	Norway
Language	Norwegian
Subject	Bokmål and Nynorsk
Genre	Dictionary
Publisher	Det Norske Samlaget
Pub date	2014–present (online)
Media type	Digital
Website	https://naob.no

Norwegian Academy's dictionary is the official dictionary of the Norwegian language, published by the Norwegian Academy for Language and Literature. It is a comprehensive, normative reference work covering the two official written standards, Bokmål and Nynorsk. The dictionary is a key authority on contemporary Norwegian orthography, etymology, and usage, serving as an essential resource for writers, editors, and the general public.

History and development

The project was initiated by the Norwegian Academy for Language and Literature in the late 20th century, with formal planning beginning in the 1990s. It was conceived as a modern successor to older normative works like Riksmålsordboken and Nynorskordboka, aiming to unify and standardize lexical guidance. Key figures in its establishment included linguists and academics from institutions such as the University of Oslo and the University of Bergen. The first digital version was launched in 2014, marking a shift from traditional print lexicography to an online, continuously updated model. This development was partly influenced by similar digital projects like the Oxford English Dictionary and the Swedish Academy Dictionary.

Content and scope

The dictionary contains over 300,000 entries, meticulously documenting words from both Bokmål and Nynorsk. Its scope encompasses general vocabulary, specialized terms from fields like law, medicine, and technology, as well as historical and dialectal forms. Each entry provides detailed information on pronunciation, inflection, definitions, and usage examples drawn from a vast corpus of Norwegian literature and media. It also includes extensive notes on etymology, often tracing words back to Old Norse, Middle Low German, or other source languages like Latin and French.

Editorial principles and methodology

The editorial work is based on a massive digital corpus of texts from sources including Aftenposten, NRK, and published works by authors like Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun. A team of lexicographers and linguists, often in collaboration with experts from the University of Tromsø and the Norwegian Language Council, analyzes this corpus to determine current usage. The principles are explicitly normative, providing authoritative guidance on correct spelling and grammar, but also descriptive in documenting actual language use. The methodology involves continuous corpus analysis and regular updates, a process overseen by the Norwegian Academy for Language and Literature.

Usage and influence

It is widely used as the primary reference by major institutions such as the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, the Storting, and the Government of Norway. Its rulings on orthography and word formation directly influence official publications, educational materials, and media language across Norway. The dictionary also plays a crucial role in language planning and policy, often cited in debates handled by the Norwegian Language Council. Its authority makes it a standard tool in schools, universities, and newsrooms, shaping the written language used by millions.

Comparison with other dictionaries

Unlike more descriptive works like the Bokmålsordboka or the Norsk Ordbok, which document language use broadly, this dictionary is explicitly prescriptive. It differs from historical projects like the Dictionary of the Norwegian Medieval Language by focusing on contemporary standards. Compared to the Danish Language Council's Retskrivningsordbogen or the Swedish Academy's Svenska Akademiens ordlista, it uniquely covers two parallel written standards within one work. Its digital-first approach also sets it apart from traditional print dictionaries like the Deutsches Wörterbuch or Larousse.

Digital availability and future plans

The dictionary is freely available online through its official website, featuring advanced search functions, regular updates, and integration with other language resources. Future development plans include expanding the corpus with texts from new media, enhancing machine-readable data for use in natural language processing, and possibly developing mobile applications. The editorial board, in consultation with bodies like the Ministry of Culture and Equality, also aims to increase coverage of loanwords and technical terminology, ensuring the dictionary evolves with the language.

Category:Dictionaries Category:Norwegian language Category:Norwegian Academy for Language and Literature