Old Norse Literature discussion
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A great site for all language learners is forum.wordreference.com; they have a Nordic Languages forum with lots of helpful native speakers. I use it a lot to ask questions about Icelandic, which is what I'm learning. If you're learning Danish I highly recommend that you go there and make yourself an account - there are links to all sorts of resources, and a fair few Danish members who will answer questions that you may have about vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, anything really.P.S. I don't think Danish will help anyone all that much with Old Norse literature. Icelandic is the modern language you want for that, or preferably Old Norse itself.
Good luck Emma!! It may not help with learning Old Norse literature, but its always good to set yourself a challenge :)I'm learning Norwegian myself :) I studied Old Norse at Uni!Thanks for the link Abi.
I want to learn Old Norse, to be honest. Anyone know any good resources on that?
An Introduction to Old Norse by E.V. Gordon is what we used in class. It may help, though to read a text on modern Icelandic, because Gordon assumes you know quite a lot about grammar and languages using cases already, and there's not a lot of actual instruction, rather, a short introduction to the language followed by short readings, with an extensive glossary at the back. It's a nice all-in-one.I like Teach Yourself Icelandic Complete Course for a more standard approach, but there may be a newer version that could be better.
Dictionaries are rather difficult to find. I've got a copy of an old one someone gave me in a binder when I was at school, but I believe it's out of print. I think there's an online one somewhere. Perhaps someone can give you the link.
The second book mentioned is for modern Icelandic, but should still be helpful, even though there are some differences.
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I prefer Gordon, but that's because I learned on it. The Viking Society's intro has a good section on both Old and Modern Icelandic pronunciation (modern pronunciation is typically used when reading Old Norse texts aloud-- though it is good to know the reconstructed pronunciation if you are dealing with poetry a lot).
Spriteby wrote: "Good luck Emma!! It may not help with learning Old Norse literature, but its always good to set yourself a challenge :)I'm learning Norwegian myself :) I studied Old Norse at Uni!Thanks for the l..."
How is it going with the Norwegian? I may get the chance to sail around Spitzbergen next summer and was wondering whether or not to start working on learning the language now, but I'm occupied with Latin, Greek, and old English, and beginning old icelandic.
Was the old Norse study in college at all a help in learning Norwegian? And what kind of Norwegian are you learning, the Bokmal (riksmal) or Nynorsk (Landmal)?
I used Gordon in college and have used the teach yourself series before visiting Iceland and found both to be useful. We started learning Old Norse by jumping into translating Havamal.
You should try the new book Viking Language - Learn Old Norse, Runes and Icelandic Sagas by Jesse Byock, just came out and is suitable also for the self learner. I very much like the extensive cultural sections, putting the language into context. I am danish, but learning modern Icelandic was still important in order to really read the sagas.
Sice wrote: "You should try the new book Viking Language - Learn Old Norse, Runes and Icelandic Sagas by Jesse Byock, just came out and is suitable also for the self learner. I very much like the extensive cult..."I saw that on Amazon and thought it looked interesting.. I'm tempted but I am so horrible at learning languages! I have been dipping in and out of Jesse Bycock's Viking Age Iceland ever since a recent trip there and I have been enjoying that.
I have been using Byock's Viking Language book with students in a highschool Old Norse club since last fall (working from rough-draft versions with the students), and I can say that the book is great. The material is presented in a clear manner, and the readings and cultural material (maps, runes, history) are interesting, enriching, and fun. We have had a great time using the book. Old Norse has finally become more accessible. Highly recommended. I can't wait until volume two is ready.
I believe Old Norse had two dialects,West Norse
Old Icelandic Old Norwegian
East Norse
Old Danish Old Swedish
I am actually interested in the Old Norse my Danish ancestors spoke
Old Norse Literature
Books mentioned in this topic
GORDON:INTRODUCTION TO OLD NORSE 2E PAPER COVERS (other topics)Icelandic (other topics)
www.thedanishchallenge.blogspot.com