Language Variation in Norway Bokmål and Nynorsk Tore

Language Variation in Norway: Bokmål and Nynorsk Tore Nesset University of Tromsø, Norway UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 1

Europe

Sami Finnish Norwegian Swedish Danish Languages in the Nordic Countries 3

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, 2005 4

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, 2005 5

Typology of Language variation 1 • Standard language • Explicit norms • Codified in grammars and dictionaries • Taught in school • Non-standardized language • Implicit rules in speakers’ minds • Not codified in grammars and dictionaries • Acquired by children in natural environment UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 6

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, 2005 7

Typology of Language variation 3 Standardization Group Geography Nonstandardized Standard dialects Bokmål and Social factors sociolects Nynorsk Time Language change UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 8

Part 2: Description and Comparison UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 9

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, 2005 10

Differences: Vocabulary English: Bokmål: Nynorsk: Wh items hv. . . [v] kv [kv] Not ikke ikkje I eg jeg we vi vi/me You guys dere de They de dei Still fremdeles framleis UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 11

Differences: Derivational Morphology • Affixes of Danish/German origin are not welcome in Nynorsk: – English: “Love” – Bokmål: “kjærlighet” “betingelse” – Nynorsk: “kjærleik UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 “Condition” “vilkår” 12

Differences: Inflection English: Bokmål: Nynorsk: a chair en stol ein stol the chair stol-en chairs stol-er stol-ar the chairs stol-ene stol-ane UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 13

Differences: Inflection English: Bokmål: Nynorsk: a chair en stol ein stol the chair stol-en chairs stol-er stol-ar the chairs stol-ene stol-ane UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 14

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, 2005 15

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, 2005 16

Bokmål and Nynorsk are similar 2 Eng: The lady is standing by the door. Bm: Damen står ved døren. Bm/Nyn: Dama står ved døra. Nyn: Dama stend ved døri. UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 17

Bokmål and Nynorsk are similar 3 Bokmål elements Nynorsk elements Shared elements UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 18

Legal status • Both are official varieties • Use regulated by law (of 1930/80, 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, 2005 19

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: http: //uit. no/nyheter/tromsoflaket/2508 UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 20

Status in schools • Regulated by law (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 9 th-13 th 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, 2005 21

Pupils with Nynorsk as primary variety Source: Torp/Vikør: Hovuddrag i norsk språkhistorie, Oslo 2003, p. 208 UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 22

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

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, 2005 24

Typology of Language variation Standardization Group Geography Nonstandardized Standard dialects Bokmål and Social factors sociolects Nynorsk Time Language change UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 25

Part 3: Historical background UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 26

Outline of Norwegian history 872 -1380: Independent Norway Old Norse flourishes 1380 -1814: Danish rule Standard language: Danish 1814 -1905: Union with Sweden Do we have a standard language? 1905 -: Independent Norway Bokmål and Nynorsk UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 27

1814: 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? J Both, of course! UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 28

Ivar Aasen and the Creation of Nynorsk • 1813 -96 • School teacher and self-taught linguist • Born in Ørsta, Western Norway • 1843 -46: Collecting dialect material in southern Norway • 1864: Norwegian grammar • 1870: Norwegian dictionary UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 29

Knudsen and the Emergence of Bokmål • 1812 -95 • High school teacher with degree from University of Oslo • Born in Tvedestrand, Eastern Norway • 1856: Handbook in Dano. Norwegian grammar UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 30

Later development 1885: Parliament gives equal status to both varieties as standard varieties 1900 -50: Attempts to bring the two varieties closer to each other 1950 -65: Vehement protests among Bokmål supporters 1965 -: Rapprochement policy abandoned UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 31

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, 2005 32

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. UNC, Sept. 26, 2005 33