Allusionist 146. Survival: Today, Tomorrow part 1

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The Icelandic language has remained so stable over the centuries, speakers can read manuscripts from 900 years ago without too much trouble. And when they need a new word for more recent concepts, there are committees to coin one, so that the modern Icelandic lexicon includes such things as the internet, helicopters and mansplaining. Defending the language from the encroachment of English, however, is rather more challenging.

Ágústa Þorbergsdóttir and Jóhannes Bjarni Sigtryggsson from the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies explain how new Icelandic words are made, and the perils the language faces in the 21st century.

EXTRA MATERIALS:

• This episode is the first of a two-parter; the next installment will include an update on some of what we talked about in the Name V. Law episode, about Icelandic naming customs, so check that one out if you didn’t hear it before.

• This pair of episodes is part of the Survival series about how endangered languages are preserved and revived. So far, there are episodes about Scots language, Welsh in Patagonia, the First Nations languages of Australia, Māori; and for background, The Key about how languages die or are saved.

• Peruse the Icelandic Term Bank.

• Portmanteaus are quite rare in Icelandic.

• About lexical purism in Icelandic.

• A good peek into the Language Planning Department.

Got merch! Head over to theallusionist.org/merch for your seasonal Wintervalwear, and your own wearable carb duvet for the soul just like in the song. BTW I don’t get to set the prices of the merch, but Teepublic does seem to run discounts for Black Friday so now’s a pretty good time to bedeck yourself in Allusionist garb.

YOUR RANDOMLY SELECTED WORD FROM THE DICTIONARY: jouk

jouk, verb, Scottish or Northen English: turn or bend quickly to avoid something.

CREDITS:

• Ágústa Þorbergsdóttir is project manager and Jóhannes Bjarni Sigtryggsson assistant research professor at the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies.

• This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman.

• The original Allusionist music is by Martin Austwick. Download his songs at palebirdmusic.com, listen to his podcasts Song By Song about the music of Tom Waits and the experimental Neutrino Watch, and hear more of his composition on the science podcast for kids Maddie’s Sound Explorers.

• Find the show at twitter.com/allusionistshow, facebook.com/allusionistshow, twitter.com/helenzaltzman and instagram.com/allusionistshow.

The Allusionist is an independent podcast. If you’re able and inclined to support the show, head over to patreon.com/allusionist for as little as $2 per month. As well as supporting the show, you get behind the scenes glimpses, bonus etymologies, a trip around Iceland's museums via me, AND a delightful community of Teamlusionists!

Back in a couple of weeks with the second installment of this two-parter - HZ.