I am trying to learn Icelandic, at least enough to hold a decent conversation, and was wondering if there's anyone out there who would want an American "pen pal" (I feel 5 years old writing that, but I can't think of a better phrase). I am just getting started, but I'm very dedicated. In a few years I'd like to visit Iceland, and although I know English is spoken by pretty much everyone I'd prefer to learn their language. Plus, it's beautiful!
Anyone speak Icelandic?
(211 posts) (44 voices)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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I did the same as you (sans pen pal) and wanted to learn a bit of it before going over. There aren't as many resources for icelandic as there are for other languages, but the University of Iceland has a great program that I used (http://icelandic.hi.is/) that got me up to speed well enough to carry on basic conversations in a couple of months of use.
It was hard, (icelandic has lots of grammar) but if you know any other languages besides english, it is easier once you can draw a few parallels (given it's a european language).
I mean I couldn't have a philosophical conversation with anyone, but I was able to order food, get around, get directions, buy things, etc, in icelandic. What sucked, though, was that people were quick to pick up on my weak icelandic, know i was probably american or british, and just start talking in english. Icelanders are all better at english than we will ever be at icelandic, so that's frustrating too.
I also bought a few books - a yellow one called "Learn Icelandic" or something, and one from like the 70s from my library that was also helpful, despite being dated. Be sure you're keen on the pronunciation, that's a huge part of it, so you don't look like a tard upon opening your mouth. I was actually complimented on my pronunciation a couple of times despite my neophyte grasp on the language. youtube, sigur ros, etc are all helpful for this!
Good luck :)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks so much! I can't wait to go! I think I really just want people to see that I'm trying to speak their language, and show a little respect. Also, if I ever get the chance to meet Jonsi maybe I can stutter out a line or two :) I'll definitely look into the University of Iceland, thanks again.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Actually I'm also trying to learn Icelandic. My first thought was that it's really hard, but I speak German, Hungarian and Romanian too, and some phrases/words are similar. I can't hold a conversation, but I already know some basic sentences.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh wow, I don't speak anything else, I hope I can do it!
Posted 2 years ago # -
languages fascinate me so much I can't explain it! Good luck on your quest I want to learn icelandic too!
oh i know: ich verstehe es nicht. useful!
and you have a beautiful smile in russian :) idk how to type it though
Posted 2 years ago # -
Glad I'm not the only one who's trying to learn the language!! Difficult isn't it? I know the basics (yes, no, thanks, my name is...) but I think the most imporatant is this -
ég tala ekki íslensku - i don't speak icelandic
vinsamlegast afsökunar tilraun minni við að tala íslensku - please excuse my attempt at speaking icelandic
einhver hér að tala ensku!? - anyone here speak english!?Haha!! :D
But yes, it is a beautiful language.Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm working on learning Icelandic, too. I have an absurd love for languages so naturally Sigur made me fall in love with this one. Certainly one of the most beautiful languages out there.
I currently use livemocha.com, it's a great way to get started with some basics. Although a few extra explanations for things would be helpful. Forvo.com is another great site to go to for help with pronunciation.
From what I've read here and on other websites, the online resources for learning Icelandic are few. You have to resort to books. I'm hoping to be past beginner level when I travel to Iceland but finding the tools to learn is harder than learning the actual language. :\
Posted 1 year ago # -
I am studying it at the moment (En nú ég er læra Íslensku) but the main problem is that there is no-one to tell me whether I have the words in the right order, etc.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I bought a pretty good textbook, called Beginner's Icelandic by Hippocrene. It comes with two audio cds, which helps immensely. I can't wait to go!!!
Posted 1 year ago # -
@mikekelley http://icelandic.hi.is/ is indeed a brilliant site! It was so helpful!
Posted 1 year ago # -
If you're from northern Europe it's pretty easy if you are good.
Ég heiti Filip og ég er frá Svíðjóð!Posted 1 year ago # -
@Cecillian - you should go to http://www.livemocha.com, it's seriously a great place to start. just start adding icelandic friends and chat with them about anything and they'll help! you can also submit your work and have it reviewed/corrected by native speakers so you know you're learning the right way :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
^ oh, I just registered on the site. I really should study for my math exam, but learning icelandic is way more fun! hahaha!
Posted 1 year ago # -
I speak fluent Icelandic :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
I found on the internet this truly amazing Italian book about Iceland. There's everything: history, literature and of course grammar, which I'm afraid, it's a little difficult, in fact the grammar part is like 500 pages long!!!
But that doesn't frighten me: I want to learn the language and I will!! (wish me luck anyways!!)
Posted 1 year ago # -
@mikekelley I tried using that site, but was confused because all of the instructions are in Icelandic and couldn't get them to translate to English despite changing my interface settings. What did you do?
Posted 1 year ago # -
@Amanderr: I found it useful to buy a textbook, and get a few chapters into it before starting the Icelandic online website. It is helpful to know a few words and grammer first. It's good that it's all in Icelandic, though, it forces you to try to figure things out. Another good website that kimiko recommended is livemocha.com, which is set up kind of like the Rosetta Stone programs. It walks you through some lessons and lets you make flashcards for later study. You can also talk to other people learning the same language as you, or native Icelandic speakers learning English. It's really fun!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thanks rosega! Yeah...I was impressed by the icelandic online site...the voice recordings made it easy to repeat the pronunciation, I just didn't quite understand how to do the lessons with no readable instruction :) I was able to figure out a little bit of it but I think I'll be trucking along on livemocha lessons first.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I tried learning..
...yeah...
Posted 1 year ago # -
while still a novice i've beenp picking at it for about two years. I'm fairly decent at reading and writing....its the speaking i have a terrible time with.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I don't know that I'll ever be very proficient, but it really is fun learning! My hope is that one day I have the balls to have a conversation with a native speaker, and not have them laugh at me :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
@rosega
if you find the right icelander as a pen pal you'll get there! i have a great pen pal whos been helping me and we met up last year in Reykjavik! trip of a lifetime!!!!Posted 1 year ago # -
Oh man, that sounds so great. I'm going in the summer of 2012, and I can't wait!
Posted 1 year ago # -
I think I am too! Hornstrandir and the rest of West Fjords plus Akureyri!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Just spent a couple weeks there, and was anxious to try out my shaky Icelandic speaking skills. Thank god for all of the little kids around there. It was so much easier holding conversations in complete Icelandic with them, because most of them don't have great English vocabulary yet, they use fairly simple words/grammar, and they don't judge you if you mutilate the pronunciation. Wish I was smart enough to ask one to be my penpal. =P
(I sat at the kids corner in the art museum drawing pictures with crayons.)
Posted 1 year ago # -
@weirdalbatross, the kids are great their! even they have difficulty with Eyjafjallajökull! according to my pen pal i should stop trying to pronounce it and just say the "iceland volcano" or if i insist go with "iforgotmyogurt"
Posted 1 year ago # -
kinda hard to find any pen pal due to small amount of icelanders =[
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have to tell EVERYONE how to pronounce Eyjafjallajökull. They think it's ridiculous but it's actually quite easy.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I've been trying to learn icelandic for a while now, it's really fun! I feel like I can pronounce the words pretty well.
but to all you icelandic speakers, what the heck does the word 'Óhræsisstrákur' in Gobbledigook mean?Posted 1 year ago #
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