Iceland Languages

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Iceland

Languages

The language, spoken and written is Icelandic. This language is the closest of all the Nordic languages to the Old Norse language (which was spoken throughout early Scandinavia) and has remained relatively unchanged since the twelfth century. Iceland is the most literate nation in the world, with literacy estimated at 99.9%.

The dominant language in the period of settlement was Old Norse, the language spoken throughout Scandinavia at that time. Through the centuries it has developed into modern Icelandic, which is spoken throughout Iceland. The records of Iceland are chiefly in Icelandic and Danish; some are in Latin and some in Old Norse.

For word lists and help researching in Icelandic records, see:

• Icelandic Genealogical Word List
• Danish Genealogical Word List
• Latin Genealogical Word List

Icelandic to English Dictionary