Essential Words and Phrases in Old Norse

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. 

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. 

Click here to re-directed to The Vikings of Bjornstad Old Norse Dictionary