Essential Words and Phrases in Old Norse
We try to be as authentic as possible...
In order to present an educational experience to our audience, it is imperative that we stay true to the sources. The Jomsvikings and Vikings in general were Norsemen. The language spoken during the Viking Age was Old Norse, which was split into two main dialects: Old West Norse and Old East Norse.
Old West Norse was the dialect spoken in Norway, Iceland, and Faeroe Islands wile Old East Norse was primarily spoken in Denmark and Sweden and Gotland. Called norrœnt mál or "northern speech" in some sources, dǫnsk tunga or "Danish tongue" in others, it was a mutually intelligible dialect continuum with no clear boundaries.
By the 15th Century Old East Norse had developed into modern Swedish and Danish, while Old West Norse had become Norwegian, Icelandic, and Faeroese.
Icelandic, due to Iceland's long isolation and limited influence of other languages, has retained much of the original Old West Norse characteristics and is as close today as we can get to spoken Old Norse.
Essential Pronounciation
Old Norse orthography essentially follows modern Icelandic pronunciation.
Mostly.
In fact, it should be said that Modern Icelandic follows Old Norse orthography and pronunciation.
Mostly.
This is a simplistic guide to make it easier to learn to pronounce the Old Norse/Icelandic words and phrases:
A- as in "father" O- as in "opera"
Á - as in "owl" Ó - as in "oh!"
B- as in "book" P- as in "pass"
D- as in "dog" R - trilled/rolled
Ð ð - as in "that" S - as in "stop"
E- as in "echo" T- as in "toy"
É- as in "yes" U- as in "kit" with lips rounded
F- as in "friend" Ú - elongated as in "boo"
G- as in "good" V- as in "victory"
H- as in "hat" X{ks} as in "axe"
I - as in "it" Y - as in "easy"
Í - as in "see" Ý - as in "meet"
J- as in "you" Þ - as in "thunder"
K- as in "kick" Æ - as in "eye" or the ai in "Thai"
L - as in "lost" Ö - the u in "fur" or the e in "bed" with lips rounded.
M- as in "more"
N- as in "new"
LL- tl (at the end, aspirated)
Double letters are held longer.
C, Q, and Z are not used in most sources.
More will be added as we go along.
For an exhaustive and extensive dictionary visit The Vikings of Bjornstad
Click here to re-directed to The Vikings of Bjornstad Old Norse Dictionary
The ELder Futhark
The most famous system for writing Old Norse and popular in tattoos..
... was not actually used during the Viking Age, at least not by the common folk. The Elder Futhark is an alphabet (or FUthARK after the first 6 letters of the runic system) at the time is thought to have fallen into disuse or at most used in a religious context, replaced in writings and runestones by the Younger Futhark (which was a less efficient and useful writing system.)
We use the Elder Futhark primarily for the ease in doing a more one-to-one transliteration and, from a personal perspective, a spiritual one.
The Elder Futhark's divination and mystical meanings:
1) FEHU represents Livestock. It symbolizes Wealth, Abundance, Success, Security, Fertility.
2) URUZ represents a Bull. It symbolizes Strength, Tenacity, Courage, Untamed Potential, Freedom.
3) THURISAZ represents a Thorn. It symbolizes Reaction, Defense, Conflict, Catharsis, Regeneration.
4) ANSUZ represents an Estuary. It symbolizes the Mouth, Communication, Understanding, Inspiration.
5) RAIDHO represents a Wagon. It symbolizes Travel, Rhythm, Spontaneity, Evolution, Decisions.
6) KENNAZ represents a Torch. It symbolizes Vision, Creativity, Inspiration, Improvement, Vitality.
7) GEBO represents a Gift. It symbolizes Balance, Exchange, Partnership, Generosity, Relationships.
8) WUNJO represents Joy. It symbolizes Pleasure, Comfort, Harmony, Prosperity, Reward, Success.
9) HAGAL represents Hail. It symbolizes Nature, Wrath, Being Tested, Overcoming Obstacles.
10) NAUTHIZ represents Need. It symbolizes Restriction, Conflict, Willpower, Endurance, Self-Reliance.
11) ISA represents Ice. It symbolizes Clarity, Stasis, Challenges, Introspection, Watching & Waiting.
12) JERA represents the Year. It symbolizes Cycles, Completion, Changes, Harvest, Reaping Rewards.
13) EIHWAZ represents a Yew Tree. It symbolizes Balance, Enlightenment, Death, The World Tree.
14) PERTHRO represents a Dice Cup. It symbolizes Fate, Chance, Mystery, Destiny, Secrets.
15) ALGIZ represents an Elk. It symbolizes Protection, Defense, Instinct, Group Effort, Guardianship.
16) SOWILO represents the Sun. It symbolizes Health, Honor, Resources, Victory, Wholeness, Cleansing.
17) TIWAZ represents the god Tyr. It symbolizes Masculinity, Justice, Leadership, Logic, Battle.
18) BERKANA represents a Birch Tree. It symbolizes Femininity, Fertility, Healing, Regeneration, Birth.
19) EHWAZ represents a Horse. It symbolizes Transportation, Movement, Progress, Trust, Change.
20) MANNAZ represents Humanity. It symbolizes Individuality, Friendship, Society, Cooperation, Help.
21) LAGUZ represents Water. It symbolizes Intuition, Emotions, Flow, Renewal, Dreams, Hopes & Fears.
22) INGWAZ represents a Seed. It symbolizes Goals, Growth, Change, Common Sense, The Hearth (Home).
23) DAGAZ represents Dawn. It symbolizes Awakening, Certainty, Illumination, Completion, Hope.
24) OTHALA represents Inheritance. It symbolizes Ancestry, Possessions, Heritage, Experience, Value.
