History & Language
The Reykjavík Grapevine takes on Iceland’s history, language and related topics
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When Danes Become Americans: A True Story
What happens when tens of thousands of inhabitants are transferred from Danish sovereignty to the US? Well, I am glad you asked, because history has just such an example. In 1917, the Danish Virgin Islands were sold to the United States. It…
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That Other Time the U.S. Bought a Danish Colony
In 1917, the United States purchased Denmark’s Caribbean colonies, marking a shift in Denmark’s diminished global influence. Once a major colonial power, Denmark had lost key territories over the 19th century. During World War II, Greenland and Iceland became vital for US…
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Word Of The Issue: Welcome to Our Reputation Era
The Grapevine’s guide to sounding Icelandic, one word at a time It’s been an interesting month. With the holiday season upon us and elections just last week, reflections on a personal and national level are occurring all around (just as holiday spirit,…
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Now & Then: A Monument To The Selective Ambitions Of Government
It was just weeks ago that this domineering new 6.400 square metre building was fully ready for use. Work on its foundations only started in February 2020, so it was built fast at an estimated cost of 5,6 billion Icelandic krónur. The…
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VIDEO: Erik The Red: The Worst Neighbour In History
The Vikings sailed across the North Atlantic, from Norway to Iceland to Greenland and all the way to North America. They only stayed for a few years in North America but here in Iceland, their descendants live to this day. In Greenland,…
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Word Of The Issue: Djammviskubit
The Grapevine’s guide to sounding Icelandic, one word at a time As we dive headfirst into this Airwaves season (happy 25th, you guys), I’ve decided to share a word that I hope you don’t have to end up using. Buuuuuuuuut you might…
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Word Of The Issue: Bergmál
The Grapevine’s guide to sounding Icelandic, one word at a time Have you ever shouted into the void? More specifically, have you ever heard the void shout back? Maybe you’ve hollered “hello!” into a massive cave and received your greeting back tenfold?…
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Word Of The Issue: A Window Of Opportunity
The Grapevine’s guide to sounding Icelandic, one word at a time Continuing the “two (or more) words for the price of one!” deal from our last Word of the Issue column, this week’s pick is another beloved and classic compound word. And…
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Now And Then: A Bizarre Episode Of History
What you are looking at here is Pósthustræti 2 — one of the relatively few buildings in Reykjavík that has simply stood, more or less unaltered, since 1919. The building was designed by Iceland’s State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson, who managed during his 30…
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The Edda or Whatever: Scalding Hot Takes from Skáldskaparmál
Welcome to The Edda or Whatever, where I’m spilling the tea on Norse mythology. We’re breaking down the Prose Edda, a Medieval Icelandic textbook that also low-key recaps most of what we know about the Norse gods today, but we’re doing it…
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Word Of The Issue: Gervitungl’s Moony Syllables
Hæhæ! If, like me, you have embarked on the journey of trying to learn Icelandic, you might have already noticed that the language is a fan of the compound word. Sometimes, that can lead to some really intimidating words — like “Vaðlaheiðarvegavinnuverkfærageymsluskúrslyklakippuhringurinn,”…
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The Edda or Whatever: The One Where Óðinn Invents Poetry By Drooling
Welcome to The Edda or Whatever, where I’m spilling the tea on Norse mythology. We’re breaking down the Prose Edda, a Medieval Icelandic textbook that also low-key recaps most of what we know about the Norse gods today, but we’re doing it…
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The Edda Or Whatever: Gylfaginning’s Season Finale
Welcome to The Edda or Whatever, where I’m spilling the tea on Norse mythology. We’re breaking down the Prose Edda, a Mediaeval Icelandic textbook that also low-key recaps most of what we know about the Norse gods today, but we’re doing it…
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The Edda Or Whatever: The Peen-Ultimate Part of Gylfaginning
Welcome to The Edda or Whatever, where I’m spilling the tea on Norse mythology. We’re breaking down the Prose Edda, a mediaeval Icelandic textbook that also low-key recaps most of what we know about the Norse gods today, but we’re doing it…
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The Edda Or Whatever: The Son of the Return of Gylfaginning
Welcome to The Edda or Whatever, where I’m spilling the tea on Norse mythology. We’re breaking down the Prose Edda, a Medieval Icelandic textbook that also low-key recaps most of what we know about the Norse gods today, but we’re doing it…
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The Edda Or Whatever: The Gylfa-Beginning of Gylfaginning
Welcome to The Edda or Whatever, where I’m spilling the tea on Norse mythology. We’re breaking down the Prose Edda, a medieval Icelandic textbook that also low-key recaps most of what we know about the Norse gods today, but we’re doing it…
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Word Of The Issue: Okay, Byeeee!
We already went over the greeting góðan daginn in a previous issue. It means “good day,” in case you weren’t paying attention. But what do you say when you’re ready to part ways with a person? It’s time to get blessed. “Bless”…
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Word Of The Issue: What The Fokk Are You Looking At?
The Grapevine’s Guide To Sounding Icelandic, One Word At A Time Unless you don’t go outside, you will hear tons of Icelanders generously using the word fokk. Icelanders, especially younger ones, are keen on using this at times that English speakers would…
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Word Of The Issue: The Infinite Uses Of Jæja
The Grapevine’s guide to sounding Icelandic, one word at a time Jæja. Have you ever met a more versatile word? Really, think about it. I’ll wait. In Iceland, jæja does a whole lot of heavy lifting. While the word officially translates to…
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The Edda Or Whatever: It All Began In Turkey
A prologue that will literally leave you gagged Welcome to The Edda or Whatever, where I’m spilling the tea on Norse mythology. We’re breaking down the Prose Edda, a mediaeval Icelandic textbook that also low-key recaps most of what we know about…
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Word Of The Issue: Don’t Be Such A Buttface
The Grapevine’s guide to sounding Icelandic, one word at a time If you spend any time around a leikskóli, you’re bound to pick up a few fun words and phrases. Between the near constant disembodied declarations of “ég er buin!” echoing through…
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Word Of The Issue: I Said Good Day, Sir
The Grapevine’s Guide To Sounding Icelandic, One Word At A Time Icelanders aren’t generally a smiley, friendly, greeting strangers in the streets kind of people, but it’s still good to know how to greet people in the event that you do meet…
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The Edda Or Whatever: Better Safe Than Snorri
Meet the rich old dude who re-wrote the Edda, doomed Iceland to 682 years of oppression Okay, okay, okay. I’ve already explained — in my half-assed-but-hopefully-hilarious way — the Poetic Edda. If you don’t remember or are just too lazy to Google…