Icelandic

by Hodder Arnold (Contributor)

Although it is aimed at those with no previous knowledge, this course is equally suitable for anyone wishing to brush up existing skills and aims to help users progress from the basics to understanding, speaking and writing Icelandic with confidence. Completely rewritten, this edition adopts a communicative approach to learning the language and includes realistic exercises. A story runs throughout the book to keep the language in context and make the it enjoyable to use. Key structures and vocabulary are introduced in 12 thematic units progressing from introducing yourself to looking for a flat. The emphasis is on communication throughout with the important language introduced through dialogues on the recording.

Genres: Language, Nonfiction, Reference, Linguistics

Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Larissa]

So far, I'm really liking this book. I've been taking the free online Icelandic course offered on the University of Iceland website, but this book comprehensively breaks down some of the grammar rules that the online course seems to expect that you'll understand in context. In just the first lesson, I picked up some important points in the "insight" sections. For instance, if you don't combine the pronoun "þu" (you) and the verb in a question, "you are effectively stressing the pronoun." So instead of just plain "what's your name?" you'd really be saying "what's your name?" as if you were talking a small child. Helpful tip!

The dialogs and pronunciations are also well done. In the book, they are spaced out on the page with "insights" and grammar examples in between, but on the audio track, they are read together, which forces you to follow along. But everything is pronounced very clearly and slowly.

So far, so good.

[W.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for autodidacts.

The previous courses (online mostly) I learned from didn't know how to make sense of the anomalies and seemingly irrational elements in this inflected language. This book does.

The author builds in lexical Lego blocks of the mind, and even anomalies are explained (sometimes these are the result of past grammatical change, which is now invisible) or fit into grammatical schemas that allow for easier memorization.

The author has taught Icelandic at Cambridge, and also adds notes on cultural inflections and nuance, as well. He notes where differences in usage occur among different age ranges (youth culture versus "old skool" etc.)

It comes with two c.d.'s, which are a vital inclusion, since one can rarely hear a language correctly in one's "mind's ear" without native speakers.

This book can be mastered very rapidly (it's a scant 200 pages) but it's remarkably compressed and rangy. Samplings of the Icelandic language from contemporary magazines, newspapers, etc. are included to push you right into practical fluency very rapidly.

And just think, once you achieve that fluency, you will be able to read The Sagas in their original form, since Icelandic hasn't really changed much since the 13th century.

You will be able to talk to Vikings you meet in your dreams, and their great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great (x20) grandchildren in Reykjavik, where they spend most of their time getting drunk. (Reykjavik is a drinking town on an order to make Las Vegas seem like your blue-hair gramma who only drinks Shirley Temples and pretends to get woozy when it's really just her blood pressure medication.)

Niiiiiizzze, as Borat would say.

[D J Rout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mainly useful for how it can inform on Tolkien and useful for coming up with dwarf names for The Lord of the Rings Online .

The subtitle says the book has audio support, but I haven't been able to find that yet. Anyway, I got as far as the index and glossary, and decided that I didn't want to read any further. Hence, this short and meaningless review.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad per se, but far too brief. I'd only recommend it if you're a tourist going for a short while, and even then, you're probably better off with other resources.

Sacrifices layout for superficial lay accessibility.

[Caleb Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid intro to the language and not the first time I've gone through this (nor maybe the last). However, I think it tries to do too much in too little space. It really covers all major grammar points which is A LOT in Icelandic, but doesn't give enough time or practice to solidify those things before moving on. It's a good way to build a foundation but not to stay long term.

[Paige Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a cold read
The book “Complete Icelandic” by Hildur Jónsdóttir is a textbook written to enable a complete beginner to reach a basic level of Icelandic fluency on his or her own. The setup of the book is chapters based on familiar topics of conversation of gradually increasing difficulty. The chapters each consist of a summary at the beginning and end, reading practice via a short dialogue, a grammar section, and practice exercises with culture and insight notes thrown in when appropriate. The dialogues were very entertaining and helpful, all following the same group of characters with a short excerpt using vocabulary and grammar concepts related to the theme of the chapter. After each reading excerpt there’s a column of all the words the reader is not expected to know at that point along with translations, so the text can be easily comprehended. There is no English translation provided with these short texts, and I really like this because it forces the reader to figure out what is happening on his or her own, which expedites learning in my experience. Another thing I found extremely beneficial was the practice exercises at the end of each chapter. I found them very effective in reinforcing the concepts learned in each chapter right after reading it, and great review for when one is further along and looking to review an earlier concept. They are regimented enough that an answer key is provided at the back, but also allow for some creativity with the answers to help the student make the language his or her own. In the practice sections, often there are clippings from Icelandic magazines so the reader is exposed to real world applicable content. In chapter 6 on page 70, activity number seven’s prompt is, “Write out the words and numbers in these advertisements from Morgunblaðið, one of Iceland’s main newspapers.” Many of the vocabulary words used throughout the book and in the short dictionary at the end are repeated several times throughout the chapters in examples and dialogues, so the words become familiar to the reader. This book is very efficiently and eloquently constructed to help the learner reach a basic level of fluency in Icelandic with entertaining stories, culture tips, and hard work.

[David Rutland · Rating 5 out of 5]

well worth the money. best intro to a difficult language i've seen because it's fun, teaches everyday practical vocab (not mostly business oriented junk), and the speakers are kinda lively on the recording.

[Emanuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to mark it as "read" althought I am more continuosly reading it in order to improve my knowledge of the language...