Bokmål facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norwegian Bokmål |
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| norsk • bokmål | ||||
| Pronunciation | [nɔʂk] • [ˈbuːkmɔːl] | |||
| Native to | Norway, Denmark | |||
| Native speakers | ~ 4 million (date missing) | |||
| Language family |
Indo-European
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| Standard forms |
Bokmål (official)
Riksmål (unofficial)
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| Writing system | Latin (Norwegian alphabet) | |||
| Official status | ||||
| Official language in | Norway Nordic Council |
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| Regulated by | Norwegian Language Council (Bokmål proper) Norwegian Academy (Riksmål) |
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| Linguasphere | 52-AAA-ba to -be & 52-AAA-cd to -cg |
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Bokmål (pronounced "BOOK-mol") is one of two official ways to write the Norwegian language. Its name means "book language." The other official written form is called Nynorsk. About 85-90% of people in Norway use Bokmål. It is also the most common way for foreign students to learn Norwegian.
Bokmål's rules are set by the Norwegian Language Council. This is a government group that helps keep the language clear and consistent. There is also a slightly older way of writing called Riksmål. This style is managed by a non-government group called the Norwegian Academy for Language and Literature.
What is Bokmål?
Bokmål is a written form of Norwegian. It is based on the Danish language that was used in Norway for many years. Because of this, it is quite similar to Danish. Most people in Norway use Bokmål for writing. This includes books, newspapers, and official documents.
How Bokmål Started
Bokmål has a long history. For hundreds of years, Norway was ruled by Denmark. During this time, Danish became the main written language in Norway. Even after Norway became independent, people still wrote a lot in Danish.
A very important person in the history of Bokmål was Knud Knudsen. He was a teacher and a linguist (someone who studies languages). He is often called the "father of Bokmål." Knudsen believed that the written Norwegian language should be more like how people actually spoke in Norway's cities. He worked to change the spelling and grammar to make it more Norwegian.
Bokmål vs. Nynorsk
Norway has two official written forms: Bokmål and Nynorsk. While Bokmål grew from Danish, Nynorsk was created to be closer to the many different dialects (local ways of speaking) found across Norway.
- Bokmål is used by most people. It is common in eastern Norway and in cities.
- Nynorsk is used by a smaller number of people, mostly in western Norway.
Both forms are taught in schools. People in Norway can choose which form they want to use. The government makes sure both are supported.
Bokmål vs. Riksmål
You might also hear about Riksmål. This is a more traditional way of writing that is very similar to Bokmål. It is often seen as a more conservative version of Bokmål. While Bokmål is the official standard, Riksmål is still used by some writers and newspapers. The main difference is in some spellings and grammar rules.
