riksmal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist/Term of Art)Formal, Historical, Linguistic
Quick answer
What does “riksmal” mean?
A traditional, conservative form of the Norwegian language, based on Danish-influenced written Norwegian, as opposed to the more rural, purist 'Landsmål' (now Nynorsk).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional, conservative form of the Norwegian language, based on Danish-influenced written Norwegian, as opposed to the more rural, purist 'Landsmål' (now Nynorsk).
Historically, the official written standard of Norwegian used in government, education, and literature, which evolved into modern Bokmål. The term can also refer more broadly to the linguistic tradition and sociolect associated with urban, educated elites in Norway.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage between UK and US English. The term is used identically in academic and specialist contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, descriptive, and academic. The term itself is not value-laden in English, though it describes a historically charged concept in Norway.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of specific contexts like university courses in Scandinavian studies, historical linguistics, or detailed works on Norwegian history.
Grammar
How to Use “riksmal” in a Sentence
Riksmål (as a subject) + verb (e.g., 'Riksmål evolved into Bokmål.')Preposition + Riksmål (e.g., 'a debate about Riksmål', 'written in Riksmål')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “riksmal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The author chose to riksmålfy his later works.
- They campaigned to preserve the riksmåled tradition.
American English
- The author chose to write in Riksmål for his later works.
- They campaigned to preserve the Riksmål tradition.
adverb
British English
- The text was written riksmåly.
- He argued riksmålishly for its preservation.
American English
- The text was composed in a Riksmål style.
- He argued from a Riksmål perspective for its preservation.
adjective
British English
- He was a staunch Riksmål supporter.
- The Riksmål orthography was more conservative.
American English
- He was a staunch Riksmål proponent.
- The Riksmål spelling was more conservative.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in linguistics, Scandinavian studies, and history papers to discuss the development of the Norwegian language.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a precise term in philology and language planning discussions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “riksmal”
- Misspelling as 'Riksmal' (without the ring diacritic).
- Using it as a synonym for modern 'Bokmål'.
- Assuming it is a common English word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but they are closely related. Riksmål is the historical predecessor and a more conservative form of what later became modern Bokmål after official language reforms.
Not as a distinct, officially recognized standard. The spoken varieties that corresponded to Riksmål have evolved, and its written form was officially superseded by Bokmål. However, some conservative writers and the 'Riksmål movement' still use forms close to it.
It is a key term for understanding Norway's complex language history and the socio-political 'language struggle' (målstrid) between urban, Danish-influenced traditions and rural, purist Norwegian ones.
No. It is a highly specialist term. In general contexts, 'Bokmål' or 'Norwegian' are appropriate. Use 'Riksmål' only when discussing specific historical or linguistic details.
A traditional, conservative form of the Norwegian language, based on Danish-influenced written Norwegian, as opposed to the more rural, purist 'Landsmål' (now Nynorsk).
Riksmal is usually formal, historical, linguistic in register.
Riksmal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈriːksmɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈriksmɑl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Riksmål movement”
- “The battle between Riksmål and Landsmål”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'RIKS' (like 'Reich' or 'realm' in Germanic languages) + 'MÅL' (meaning 'language' or 'speech'). It was the 'language of the realm'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A BATTLEFIELD (e.g., 'the language battle' between Riksmål and Landsmål).
Practice
Quiz
What is Riksmål?