kids encyclopedia robot

Old Norse language facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Old Norse
Dǫnsk tunga ("Danish tongue")
Norrœnt mál ("Norse speech")
Native to Scandinavia
Region Nordic countries, Great Britain, Ireland, Isle of Man, Normandy, Newfoundland, the Volga and places in-between
Era developed into the various North Germanic languages by the 14th century
Language family
Early forms:
Proto-Indo-European
  • Proto-Germanic
    • Proto-Norse
      • Old Norse
Writing system Runic, later Latin (Old Norse alphabet)
Rökstenen
The Rök Runestone in Östergötland, Sweden, is the longest surviving source of early Old East Norse. It is inscribed on both sides

Old Norse is a Germanic language that was spoken in Scandinavia, during the Viking Age, until about 1300. It was also spoken in Iceland, the Faeroe Islands, Orkney Islands and other places that Scandinavians started settlements (similar to colonies).

Modern Icelandic is the modern language that is the closest to Old Norse when written. Another language that is close to Old Norse, is Elfdalian. Other languages that come from Old Norse are Swedish, Danish, Faroese, and Norwegian.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Nórdico antiguo para niños

kids search engine
Old Norse language Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.