The Icelandic language, with its origins in Old Norse, is particularly rich in historical terms that mirror its storied past and the unique culture of Iceland. The Viking legacy and sagas have contributed significantly to the vocabulary, and many of these words remain in use, allowing speakers to maintain a living connection with their heritage. In this post, we will explore some of the historical terms that are an intrinsic part of the Icelandic language.

Alþingi
Alþingi is the national parliament of Iceland, considered to be the world’s oldest surviving parliament, established around 930 AD. The name translates to “All Thing,” where “thing” refers to an assembly or gathering.

Alþingið hefur áhrifamikla sögu sem nær aftur til Vikingatímans.

Saga
A saga refers to the historical epic tales and stories of Iceland. These were originally oral narratives and were later written down in the 12th and 13th centuries. They encompass family histories, myths, legends, and accounts of the early Icelandic settlers.

Hann las Njálu, sem er ein frægasta íslenskra sagnanna.

Skald
A skald is a term for a Viking poet or bard. Skalds were respected storytellers who composed and performed poems in honor of heroes and kings. Their intricately structured skaldic poetry is still studied today for its complex diction and metaphorical style.

Skáldið orti kvæði til að lofa dáðir konungsins.

Rune
Runes are the characters in the various runic alphabets used by Germanic tribes, including the Norse people. They have a mystical aspect to them and are often associated with Norse mythology and magic.

Runirnar á steininum voru ritaðar fyrir meira en þúsund árum.

Thingvellir
Thingvellir is a historical site in Iceland, well known for being the location of Alþingi – the ancient parliament. The name literally means “fields of the assembly.” It is now a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Þingvellir er einn af þekktustu sögustöðum Íslands.

Holmgang
A holmgang was a Norse form of duel that was a legally recognized way to settle disputes. It was typically fought on a small island or a delimited area (hölm means a small island or islet), and strict rules were followed.

Samkvæmt fornum lögum gátu menn valið að leiða deilur sínar í holmgang.

Jomsviking
Jomsvikings were a legendary company of Viking mercenaries that were supposedly adherents to a strict code of conduct. They are central figures in Norse sagas and are described as fearsome and disciplined warriors.

Jomsvíkingarnir eru dæmi um hernaðarmenningu þeirra tíma.

Berserker
Berserkers were Norse warriors described in the sagas as having fought with a trance-like fury. The term is related to the Old Norse ‘berserkir’, which is often interpreted to mean ‘bear-shirts’ or ‘bare-shirts.’

Berserkirnir, sem barðust með ólgandi geðveiki, höfðu mikla hræðsluáhrif á sína andstæðinga.

Dreki
A dreki, or dragon, often refers to the figureheads carved on the prow of Viking ships, which were intended to protect the ship and crew while intimidating enemies and evil spirits. By extension, it also signifies dragons as powerful mythological creatures present in many Norse tales.

Drekinn á skipshöfðinu var hugsaður sem vörn gegn óvinum og illu öflum.

Heiti
Heiti is a term for a poetic synonym used instead of common words in skaldic and Edda poetry. These synonyms were often used for their metric properties and their ability to fit the strict stylistic requirements of the poetry.

Í fornu skáldskaparmáli voru heiti notuð til að fegra mál og mæta bragarháttum.

Using these terms is not only a nod to the past but also a celebration of Iceland’s rich linguistic heritage. As one learns Icelandic, an understanding of these historical words provides deeper insights into the island’s culture and literary traditions.