Nynorsk

Nynorsk. Nynorsk is one of the two official written standards of the Norwegian language, alongside Bokmål. It was constructed in the 19th century by linguist Ivar Aasen as a synthesis of rural West Norwegian and Central Norwegian dialects, intended to serve as a national language independent from the Dano-Norwegian tradition. Today, it is used by a minority of Norwegians, primarily in areas of Western Norway and the Innlandet county, and is mandated for use by certain public bodies.

History and development

The creation of Nynorsk was a direct result of Norwegian nationalism following the Dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905 and the earlier end of the Union between Sweden and Norway. Linguist and folklorist Ivar Aasen traveled extensively throughout rural Norway in the 1840s, systematically documenting local speech forms. His foundational works, including the 1848 grammar Det norske Folkesprogs Grammatik and the 1850 dictionary Ordbog over det norske Folkesprog, provided the basis for the standard, initially called Landsmål. Key figures in its early promotion included poet Aasmund Olavsson Vinje and statesman Arne Garborg. The standard underwent significant reforms, notably through the work of the Riksmål movement and decisions by the Norwegian Parliament, with major orthographic revisions occurring in 1901, 1917, and 1938. The name was officially changed from Landsmål to Nynorsk in 1929.

Linguistic characteristics

Nynorsk's phonology and grammar are primarily based on the West Scandinavian branch of the North Germanic languages. It preserves many grammatical features lost in the closely related Danish language and its descendant Bokmål, such as the use of three grammatical genders (masculine, feminine, neuter) and a system of strong and weak verbs more akin to Old Norse. Its vocabulary is heavily drawn from native Norwegian roots, avoiding many of the Low German loans common in Dano-Norwegian. For instance, it uses eg (I), ikkje (not), and hovud (head), contrasting with Bokmål's jeg, ikke, and hode. The syntax often follows typical Germanic patterns but can reflect specific West Norwegian dialectal structures.

Usage and distribution

Nynorsk is used as a primary written form by approximately 10-15% of Norwegian students, with its strongest geographical base in the counties of Møre og Romsdal, Vestland, Rogaland, and parts of Innlandet. Major newspapers like Dag og Tid and Bergens Tidende use it regularly. All state-owned broadcaster NRK is required to produce a significant portion of its content in Nynorsk. Its use is most prevalent in rural municipalities and within cultural spheres, supported by institutions like the Nynorsk kultursentrum in Oslo. However, it faces challenges in urban centers and in sectors like private business and international commerce, where Bokmål dominates.

Standardization and official status

The official regulation of Nynorsk is managed by the Norwegian Language Council, which works under the authority of the Ministry of Culture and Equality. The legal foundation for its status is the Language Act of 1980, which states that Bokmål and Nynorsk are official languages of equal standing. This principle of linguistic equality mandates that all government entities, including Statsforvalteren (the County Governor) and municipal administrations, must accommodate both standards. Public servants are required to respond in the same standard used by a citizen. The standardization process is ongoing, with periodic orthographic reforms, such as those in 2005 and 2012, aimed at modernizing the language while maintaining its core dialectal roots.

Comparison with Bokmål

While both are official standards of Norwegian, Nynorsk and Bokmål differ in origin, structure, and social perception. Bokmål evolved from the written Danish language used in Norway during the Union between Denmark and Norway, gradually incorporating Norwegian pronunciations and some forms. Consequently, Bokmål's grammar is simpler, with an optional feminine gender and greater acceptance of Danish vocabulary. Nynorsk, being constructed from dialects, is often perceived as more conservative and complex. In practice, the differences are bridgeable; the official policy of språkgodtgjering (language reconciliation) aims to bring the two standards closer. Most Norwegians learn to read both, though the spoken language, Urban East Norwegian, aligns more closely with Bokmål's written forms.