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.

The absence limit is intended to cover normal sick leave and similar situations, and you will not be granted valid absence from teaching based on a medical certificate, even if the absence is due to circumstances beyond your control. In special cases, agreements for exemption can be made with the course coordinator, preferably at the start of the semester.

Language requirements: Exams and compulsory exercises must be written in Nynorsk.

Approved obligatory activities are valid for two semesters (the semester in which approval is granted and the following semester).

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