Lærum íslensku!
Welcome to the Icelandic pages!
The Icelandic Government generously provides the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic with funding to teach classes in Modern Icelandic, open to all members of the University, during the academic year. The courses, which are free of charge, cater for beginners and intermediate students (depending on demand). They are not assessed but are taught on an informal basis with the intention of supporting extra-curricular learning.
About Modern Icelandic
Modern Icelandic, a relative of the Scandinavian languages, is of particular interest to students of Old Norse as its grammar has remained virtually unchanged since the thirteenth century when many of the famous medieval sagas were composed. The vocabulary is also highly conservative since the Icelanders largely eschew loanwords, preferring to create new words from native elements. Yet despite its archaic features, the language is triumphantly alive today: as the national language of Iceland’s 320,000 inhabitants, it plays a fundamental role in the country’s vibrant culture, featuring in books, newspapers, films and music, as well as having a strong presence on the internet.
Contents
Icelandic classes in Cambridge: Beginners’ Icelandic; Intermediate Icelandic
Teacher
Timetable
Opportunities for further study
Resources