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Reasons to Learn Norwegian

© Valerie Borey

Keywords: reasons to learn Norwegian, foreign language learning, second language acquisition, heritage languages, genealogy, less commonly taught language, LCTL, Norway, Norwegian classroom, genealogy, Danish, Swedish, Sapmi, Norwegian as research language, business Norwegian, Norwegian artists, Norwegian language programs

With Spanish, French, and German taking a strong lead in foreign language popularity, I find myself increasingly in a position of advocacy when it comes to the Norwegian language. As a less commonly taught language (LCTL), Norwegian is usually not the first thing that comes to mind when people are looking to enrich their linguistic repertoire. Students typically look for languages which they feel will be useful to them in the professional world and which they can share with a large number of potential speakers.

There can be, however, distinct advantages to learning Norwegian and other LCTLs. If we compare language to the world of literature, the difference between learning Spanish and Norwegian is akin to the difference between reading Stephen King or John Grisham novels and reading books by Chinua Achebe or Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It is not enough to be content with breadth of application; one must also read for depth and diversity. This is not to say that one shouldn't learn a language with mass appeal (I took many years of Spanish in college myself), but that one should also flirt with the rich territory that lies beyond. There is, after all, no legal restriction on how many languages a person can learn in a lifetime.

Here are some of the most compelling reasons (for adults and children!) to learn Norwegian:

Heritage and Genealogy
As a Norwegian teacher, I've found that a majority of my students are drawn to the language because of their background. Often they are planning to reunite with family in Norway or are interested in researching their family tree. Many of my students say that they fondly remember grandparents who spoke the language and regret that they did not pick it up while their grandparents were still alive. For many, learning Norwegian is a form of tribute to their ancestors before them.

Three for the Price of One
Some learners are attracted to the idea of learning three languages for the price of one. Norwegian shares many similarities with Swedish and Danish and it is possible to understand, without too much confusion, speakers from these neighboring countries. These linguistic similarities allow for a great deal of versatility for those who plan travel through Scandinavia or who have an interest in broad-based Scandinavian issues.

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