Course - Dialectology and Language history - NORD1106
Dialectology and Language history
About
About the course
Course content
NORD1106 includes historical change and geographical variation in Norwegian.
The students will learn about main trends in Norwegian language history. This includes both grammatical change in Norwegian from Ancient Nordic until today and the social and political history of Norwegian language. The latter is especially important after 1814, when official language policy led to two written languages and a series of orthographic reforms.
The main emphasis is on Old Norse and traditional Norwegian dialects, their grouping and the main characteristics of different dialect areas. We emphasise how knowledge of Old Norse is necessary to explain the variation between dialects, and how the language developed between these idealised stages. We also touch upon social variation and present-day changes in the spoken language.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
The candidate has knowledge of:
- different periods in Norwegian language history and the basis of these periods
- main features of Old Norse grammar
- language planning and orthographic reforms after 1814
- traditional dialects of Norwegian (dialect areas and characteristics)
- variation and change in the dialects during the last decades
Skills:
The candidate can:
- identify important linguistic features in historical texts
- identify relevant dialect features in text examples
- identify linguistic changes from Old Norse to modern dialects
- describe central aspects of Norwegian language policy and language planning after 1814
- Write correct and coherent texts in Nynorsk and use relevant linguistic terminology
Learning methods and activities
Teaching methods: lectures, group teaching with compulsory exercises.
Obligatory activities:
- Minimum 75 % participation in lectures
- Up to 8 approved short exercises (written and/or oral) related to group teaching.
In this course, students must fulfill a compulsory work requirement consisting of up to 8 short exercises. These are written and/or oral exercises related to group teaching, which are assessed as approved/not approved. More information and guidelines will be provided at the start of the semester.
Language requirements: Exams and compulsory exercises must be written in Nynorsk.
Compulsory assignments
- Minimum 75 % participation in lectures
- Up to 8 approved short exercises (written and/or oral) related to group teaching
Recommended previous knowledge
NORD1001 and NORD1102, or equivalent.
Course materials
A reading list will be available at the beginning of the semester. Students who have taken courses with parts of the same reading list before, have to apply to the department for approval of an alternative reading list.
Credit reductions
Course code | Reduction | From |
---|---|---|
NORD1101 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2008 |
NORX1001 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2008 |
NORX1106 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2010 |
NORD6106 | 7.5 sp | Spring 2016 |
NORD6011 | 5 sp | Autumn 2016 |
Subject areas
- Scandinavian Language and Literature
Contact information
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Department with academic responsibility
Examination
Examination
Examination arrangement: Written exam and term paper
Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025
School exam
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.