When you step of the plane in Keflavík airport, there is a sign
Velkominn heim
Welcome to Iceland
When I first saw that sign, I noticed the English was not a translation of the the Icelandic text. The English was directed at foreigners, visitors. The meaning of the Icelandic, however, made a much stronger impression on me. While this is not the rule, there was some resemblance to German here, so I was able to figure it out.
Now, Icelandic is not easy to understand, if you don't speak it. It's not one of those languages where you intuitively understand a bit and and can usually figure out the rest. It belongs to the Germanic language group and is supposed to be similar to Old Norwegian. Icelandic is said to have not changed much since the first settlers, so even modern Norwegian seems to be quite different. I wouldn't know, as I speak neither. As a linguist, I'm usually able to figure out a few things that I see written down in most languages, but generally, like everyone else, I have no chance in hell to understand what the conversation or text is about, unless I have at least moderate knowledge of the language. Icelandic is no exception here. This sign, however, I understood.
In 2013, when I first set foot on the island, and every time I have gone back since, this sign makes me choke up a little. It is welcoming me home.
Velkominn heim
Welcome to Iceland
When I first saw that sign, I noticed the English was not a translation of the the Icelandic text. The English was directed at foreigners, visitors. The meaning of the Icelandic, however, made a much stronger impression on me. While this is not the rule, there was some resemblance to German here, so I was able to figure it out.
Now, Icelandic is not easy to understand, if you don't speak it. It's not one of those languages where you intuitively understand a bit and and can usually figure out the rest. It belongs to the Germanic language group and is supposed to be similar to Old Norwegian. Icelandic is said to have not changed much since the first settlers, so even modern Norwegian seems to be quite different. I wouldn't know, as I speak neither. As a linguist, I'm usually able to figure out a few things that I see written down in most languages, but generally, like everyone else, I have no chance in hell to understand what the conversation or text is about, unless I have at least moderate knowledge of the language. Icelandic is no exception here. This sign, however, I understood.
In 2013, when I first set foot on the island, and every time I have gone back since, this sign makes me choke up a little. It is welcoming me home.
Tom told me you were moving there permanently! Congratulations, I'm really happy for you!
ReplyDelete-Zoe
Thank you, Zoe :-)
ReplyDelete