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English Words As Slang Doubles Among Icelandic Youth Over Past 20 Years
In a masters thesis written by Icelandic specialist Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir, she discloses that the use of English words as slang by young Icelanders has been on the rise, RÚV reports. She is nonetheless not worried about the future of the Icelandic language.…
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Happy Icelandic Language Day!
Today is a special day in Iceland: “Dagur íslenskrar tungu” (literally “Day Of The Icelandic Tongue,” i.e. “Icelandic Language Day”). This day is chosen on account of it also being the birthday of famed poet, writer and naturalist Jónas Hallgrímsson. In 1835,…
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Increased Funding Needed To Teach Foreigners Icelandic
Steinunn Ósk Kolbeinsdóttir, project manager for Icelandic language teaching at Fræðslunet Suðurlands, says that she is surprised by the government’s reluctance to provide extra funds for the teaching of Icelandic to foreigners, Vísir reports. Steinunn Ósk says that the time of Covid,…
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Just Sayings: “Tekinn á Beinið”
This saying is not really that old. It originated at Akureyri Junior College and means to tell someone off, often by higher authority. The direct translation of the saying—which in Icelandic would be used “Að taka einhvern á beinið”—is “to force someone…
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PHOTOS: Icelandic Children Celebrate Öskudagur
As reported, Ash Wednesday in Iceland, or Öskudagur (“Ashes Day”), is a holiday for either religious adults or children of any or no faith. On this day, children typically dress up in costumes, visit local businesses, and then sing in order to…
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Icelandic Teacher: Don’t Speak English To Those Trying To Learn Icelandic
One of the biggest complaints of those learning and teaching Icelandic is the tendency for Icelanders to switch over to English when a foreigner attempts to speak to them in Icelandic. RÚV paid a recent visit to the University Centre of the…
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Siri Threatens The Icelandic Language
As the Icelandic language faces tough competition from English influences, Icelandic authorities focus efforts on what needs to be done. Ozy.com reports that while the Icelandic language is not currently in decline, its future relevance to younger generations poses a growing concern.…
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Number Of People Choosing To Learn Icelandic Reaches Record High
According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, more than 200,000 people all over the world are registered as users on local website Icelandic Online, where users can follow various courses to learn Icelandic according to their skills, for free. Minister for Education Lilja…
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Trapped In A Narrative: New Book On The Guðmundur And Geirfinnur Case Released In The UK
For most Icelanders, the names Guðmundur and Geirfinnur have immediate connotations. In January and November of 1974, these two seemingly unconnected men vanished without a trace in and around Reykjavík, leading to speculation and paranoia in the community that eventually lead to…
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New Website Tells Icelandic Women Of Genetic Mutation Linked To Cancer
Icelandic research centre deCODE Genetics will open a website today where women will be able to find out whether or not their body is affected by a genetic mutation that increases the risk of breast cancer, RÚV reports. The mutation in question…
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On The Edge Of Morality: Börkur Sigþórsson On His New Film “Vargur”
After the international success of the Icelandic TV series “Trapped,” Icelandic director Börkur Sigþórsson is close to finishing his new film called “Vargur” which will be in theatres on May 4th. In a noir-style crime story, two Icelandic brothers are trying to…
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More Amplifiers Than Band Members: The Powerful Doom Metal Of Morpholith
“The concert is held on the occasion of the screening of ‘The Doom Doc’ that we and Godchilla are organising,“ says Hörður Jónsson, guitarist, about the concert that the band Morpholith will play on April 20th at Gaukurinn, along with Godchilla and…
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Icelandic Comedian Appears On Australian TV To Teach Hosts Some Icelandic
When Icelanders head abroad for either work or pleasure, they often find themselves at the mercy of foreign curiosity when it comes to their country and language. Asked to entertain with funny words and repeated rolls of Rs (try to roll that…
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22% Of Icelandic Children Show Difficulties In Reading Their Own Language
The richness of Icelandic children’s lexicon, as well as their level of comprehension of their own language, has been dangerously decreasing during the past hundred years. In 2015, it was calculated through the so-called PISA test (Programme for International Student Assessment) that Iceland…
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this.is/madness: Icelandic Internet Pioneer Guðmundur Ragnar Guðmundsson
Guðmundur Ragnar Guðmundsson is the type of guy who gets bored easily. This drive to always be doing something new is what led him start the first ISP in Iceland in 1993. At a time when the Internet was a brand new…
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Part 4: Meet The Foreigners Learning Icelandic
Do you want to learn Icelandic? Well, today is the Day of the Icelandic Tongue, where we honour this unique and colourful language. The number of speakers is growing every year, thanks in no small part to the people who move to…
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Google Translate Icelandic News: Spanish Balls & Ripped Off Jaws
Icelandic news are interesting (somewhat), Google Translate is amazing, but together they make for a strange and confusing cocktail. Therefore, every Tuesday we’ll bring you all the biggest headlines in Iceland via the finest translation software in the world. Now, football can…
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Readers Write: On Preserving The Icelandic Language
To the editor of the Reykjavik Grapevine, My name is Marjorie and I live in Texas. I am learning Icelandic and feel passionate about it. I’ve heard that Icelandic is being undermined by English and it scares me. I am writing this…
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VIDEO: Understand Icelandic In 3 Words
If you find it too tedious and time consuming to actually learn Icelandic, consider watching this video where we teach you how to pick out three key phrases from conversations with Icelandic people. Listen out for The Weather, Tourism and the Rental…
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Word Of The Issue: Farfuglaheimili
Iceland may be on everyone’s bucket list, but did you know that it’s also a firm favourite with migratory birds? Each year, thousands of species stop off en route to sunnier climes. Enter “farfuglaheimi,” directly translated as “home of migratory birds.” In…
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Icelandic For Foreigners Most Popular Subject At University Of Iceland
Icelandic for foreigners has become the most popular course at the University of Iceland, Vísir reports. There are numerous social factors contributing to its popularity, but some obstacles still remain. Margrét Jónsdóttir, the department head of Icelandic within the Humanities Department at…
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Word Of The Issue: Brúðkaup
Words often give us insight on past traditions. “Brúðkaup,” for instance, the Icelandic word for “wedding,” refers to the old custom of purchasing (kaupa) a bride (brúð). “Is she worth five cows and a goat? I’ll take her. You, father of the…
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VIDEO: How To Speak With An Icelandic Accent
Ever wanted to convince someone you’re Icelandic without putting in the work to learn the language? Consider checking out this video then, on how to speak with an Icelandic accent. Feeling educated? Perhaps you’d like to upgrade your learning and find out…