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Old Norse language Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.
Old Norse language facts for kids
| Old Norse | |
|---|---|
| dǫnsk tunga, dansk tunga ("Danish tongue"), norrœnt mál ("Norse language") | |
| Region | Nordic countries, Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, Isle of Man, Normandy, Vinland, the Volga and places in-between |
| Era | developed into the various North Germanic languages by the 14th century |
| Language family |
Indo-European
|
| Writing system | Runic, later Latin (Old Norse alphabet) |
Old Norse is a Germanic language that was spoken in Scandinavia, during the Viking Age, until about year 1300. It was also spoken in Iceland, the Faeroe Islands, Orkney Islands and other places, where Scandinavians started settlements (similar to colonies).
Modern Icelandic is the modern language, that looks most like Old Norse, when written. Another language, similar to Old Norse, is Elfdalian. Swedish, Danish, Faroese, and Norwegian also come from Old Norse.
The Rök Runestone in Östergötland, Sweden, is the longest surviving source of early Old East Norse. It is inscribed on both sides