Ushtari
04-19-2011, 10:45 PM
Elfdalian or Övdalian (Övdalsk or Övdalską in Elfdalian, Älvdalska or Älvdalsmål in Swedish) is a linguistic variety of the Scandinavian language branch spoken in the old parish of Övdaln, which is located in the south-eastern part of Älvdalen Municipality in Northern Dalarna, Sweden.
Traditionally regarded as a Swedish dialect, Elfdalian is today regarded by several linguists as a separate language. As some other Dalecarlian vernaculars spoken north of the Lake Siljan, Elfdalian retains numerous old grammatical and phonological features that have not changed considerably since Old Norse and is considered to be the most conservative and best preserved vernacular within the Dalecarlian branch. Having developed in relative isolation since the Middle Ages, quite a few linguistic innovations are also present in the language.
Elfdalian has around 3,000 speakers and its existence is severely threatened. However, it is possible that it will receive an official status as a minority language in Sweden, which would entail numerous protections and encourage its use in schools and by writers and artists. The Swedish Parliament was due to address this issue In 2007, but apparently has not yet done so.[2] The European Council has urged the Swedish government to reconsider the status of Elfdalian/Övdalian on three different occasions, most recently in May 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfdalian_language
O2pxZJ6uFvg
This dialect is very interesting. As a Swedish speaker i can hardly understand anything, though the refrain seem to be same as in swedish.
"Tänk att jag minns det än i dag"
EDIT: Now when i listen to it while reading the translation, it makes much more sense, its very similar to swedish actually.
Traditionally regarded as a Swedish dialect, Elfdalian is today regarded by several linguists as a separate language. As some other Dalecarlian vernaculars spoken north of the Lake Siljan, Elfdalian retains numerous old grammatical and phonological features that have not changed considerably since Old Norse and is considered to be the most conservative and best preserved vernacular within the Dalecarlian branch. Having developed in relative isolation since the Middle Ages, quite a few linguistic innovations are also present in the language.
Elfdalian has around 3,000 speakers and its existence is severely threatened. However, it is possible that it will receive an official status as a minority language in Sweden, which would entail numerous protections and encourage its use in schools and by writers and artists. The Swedish Parliament was due to address this issue In 2007, but apparently has not yet done so.[2] The European Council has urged the Swedish government to reconsider the status of Elfdalian/Övdalian on three different occasions, most recently in May 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfdalian_language
O2pxZJ6uFvg
This dialect is very interesting. As a Swedish speaker i can hardly understand anything, though the refrain seem to be same as in swedish.
"Tänk att jag minns det än i dag"
EDIT: Now when i listen to it while reading the translation, it makes much more sense, its very similar to swedish actually.