The focus is on Iceland

Every time we open the TV or browse the internet, we are invaded by a variety of news on current events of greater or lesser importance. The most important ones are those that impact us in one way or another. The latest event is the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland. And as the ashes spread around the world, the interest in Iceland grows as well.

You have probably already browsed the internet to find out more about the country, its culture and its people. You probably got also interested in the language spoken in Iceland: Icelandic.


This is a brief description of the language given by Kenneth Katzner in his book "The Languages of the World" published by Routledge:

It is one of the Scandinavian languages, which form a branch of the Germanic languages, in turn a part of the Indo-European family. Icelandic is remarkably similar to Old Norse, the language of the Vikings, which was brought to Iceland from Norway in the 9th century. Whereas the other Scandianavian languages have been strongly influenced by those of neighboring countries, Icelandic, insular and isolated, has retained its pristine character over the centuries.
Another factor behind the purity of the Icelandic is the absence of international words for modern ideas and inventions. Icelanders avoid such words whenever possible, preferring to coin their own purely Icelandic words instead. Thus "telephone" in Icelandic is simi, an old Icelandic word for "thread" or "wire". The word for "radio" is útvarp ("broadcast"). "Automobile" is bill, but may also be bifreið ("moving ride"). For "computer" a special word, tölva, was devised.

You might need to postpone your trip to Iceland or other European country for now, but you can use this time to learn or improve your skills in one of the Scandinavian or Germanic languages. At Pasadena Language Center we offer several Scandinavian languages (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish) as well as Germanic languages (Dutch and German).

For more information on schedules and programs, please contact us at info@pasadenalanguage.com. Visit our website www.pasadenalanguage.com.