While Icelanders are fluent in English, many prefer to speak their mother tongue when greeting travelers and interacting with one another. Pronunciation is critical as Icelandic is unique for its distinct sounds and stresses on the first syllable.
Also, many words are composed of separate syllables. Eyjafjallajokull is a perfect example, as it’s three different Icelandic words.
English
As Icelanders are descended from Vikings, their language is as close as you can get to Old Norse. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to pronounce! Many words seem impossible, and you might find yourself uttering incomprehensible clusters of consonants, especially regarding place names like Eyjafjallajokull (pronounced ey-jaf-ah-fih-alla-joo-kull). But with a little common sense and some linguistic math, all those long, seemingly impossible words can be broken down into shorter, more easily pronounceable ones. For example, the name of the volcano that erupted a few years ago is made up of regn (rain) + hlif (coverage), and dyragardur is composed of dyr (animals) + gardur (zoo).
Another helpful tip for navigating Iceland is to know some basic Icelandic phrases. One of the simplest is hallo, which you can pronounce as “hah-lo.” It’s a small gesture that shows respect and politeness to locals. Another helpful phrase is thank you, which you can say by takkfyrir.
It’s also a good idea to get familiar with an Iceland map before your trip, and if you’re planning on doing a self-drive tour, check out the itineraries that various Icelandic tour companies offer on their websites. This way, you can save a lot of time by knowing roughly where all the highlights are and how they are pronounced (e.g., Leirhnjukur is pronounced lay-dshen-wuhkur).
Icelandic
Don’t let the untamed beauty of Iceland fool you; its language is a testament to its rich history and cultural resilience. “What language is spoken in Iceland?” you may ask. The answer is Icelandic, a proud descendant of Old Norse, with whispers of Danish and Swedish woven into its fabric. While its distant kinship to English might offer false hope, Iceland demands dedication to mastery. But the reward? A deeper understanding of this island nation and its people, their passion for their language echoing through the valleys and glaciers.
Among the most exciting aspects of Icelandic is how words are formed, such as the compound word jökulsargljufur, which means glacier river canyon. This is a clear example of Icelanders seeking to avoid foreign influence by creating new words rather than importing them from other languages. This approach is known as linguistic purism and is a critical element of the Icelandic language.
Icelandic is written in a modified Latin alphabet, and the letters are pronounced as they are spelled. Most consonants are pronounced like in English, but vowels are pronounced with an accent mark above them, changing the sound from short to long. The R in Icelandic is rolled, making it difficult for many English speakers to pronounce.
In addition to the 300,000 people in Iceland who speak Icelandic, it is said by 8,000 in Denmark, 5,000 in the United States, and more than 1,400 in Canada, notably in the region of Manitoba that was settled by Icelanders beginning in the 1880s.
German
An island country on the active plate boundary between North America and Europe, Iceland is a land of spectacular contrasts. Sparkling glaciers, including Europe’s largest, cover the mountains of Vatnajokull National Park; erupting volcanoes have created several new islands, such as Surtsey; and geysers are abundant throughout the country.
Iceland’s unique geographic position explains why its culture is so richly varied. The nation’s history dates back 1,000 years when it was settled by Viking adventurers and their mixed Norse and Celtic population. These early settlers encouraged further explorations of Greenland and even the coast of North America, which they named Vinland.
Today, Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world and has a low crime rate. Its people are friendly and welcoming, and English is widely spoken. Icelanders have also learned to adapt and adjust to an ever-changing world. They are innovative, creative, and quirky.
In addition to English, many Icelanders speak other languages, such as Danish, German, and Spanish. Icelanders are famous for their sense of humor and love of literature and music. They are renowned for their hospitality and openness. This makes it a great place to visit for those looking to explore nature’s wonders while learning about its fascinating people and culture. With a population of just over 350,000, most Icelanders live in Reykjavik and its surrounding areas.
French
The Icelandic language is quite different from English; at first glance, it may seem indecipherable. However, with some linguistic math and common sense, all those hard-to-pronounce words can start making much more sense.
For example, in Iceland, the r is rolled (as it is in Spanish and Italian), so you’ll hear it pronounced as “rr” instead of its English counterpart. The letter j is sometimes pronounced as a soft ‘j,’ and o is often pronounced as an ‘u.’ And many place names are formed with compound words such as Eyjafjallajokull (which is made up of eyja (island), fjalla (mountain), and jokull (glacier).
If you’re renting a car, it’s a good idea to keep a map in the vehicle or ask your hotel to provide one. Also, try to find an Iceland travel guidebook with GPS coordinates for the places you plan to visit – this will help a lot when driving around on your own.
For those who prefer to sit back and relax, local tour companies like Reykjavik Excursions and Volcano Huts offer bus tours that can take you around all the major highlights in comfort and without the need for navigation. Plus, you’ll save money on gas! Also, please bring a reusable water bottle with clean, pure Icelandic tap water at each visit.
