The North Germanic languages are a branch of the Germanic languages, which in turn are part of the broader Indo-European language family. These languages are primarily spoken in Northern Europe, particularly in Scandinavia, and include:
The North Germanic languages evolved from Proto-Norse, which was spoken in Scandinavia from approximately the 2nd to the 8th century AD. Proto-Norse itself developed from Proto-Germanic. The transition to what is now called Old Norse occurred around the 8th century, coinciding with the Viking Age. Old Norse was the language of the Vikings and was used across a vast area including modern-day Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and parts of the British Isles, as well as in colonies in Greenland and Vinland (North America).
With the Christianization of Scandinavia and the end of the Viking Age, Old Norse began to diversify into the modern North Germanic languages:
North Germanic languages share several linguistic traits:
While Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian are mutually intelligible to a high degree, Icelandic and Faroese are less so, primarily due to their more conservative retention of Old Norse features. Here's a brief overview:
There's an ongoing effort to preserve and revitalize lesser-known North Germanic dialects and languages, especially in regions where they are at risk of extinction. This includes: