The official language of Norway: how it came into being, what it is like and what types it is divided into. What languages ​​are spoken in Norway: Bokmål, Riksmål, Nynoshk Scandinavians understand each other perfectly

This is also my experience. When I was younger, I watched TV shows and movies in French every day after school. Despite the ineffective lessons, I made significant progress as I was exposed to real French on a daily basis. My peers, on the other hand, struggled to make any progress because their only exposure to language was through grammar books. Many students complain that they are unable to understand a foreign language when it is spoken quickly. Of course, it takes time to get used to the speed at which native speakers pronounce words. The only solution is to become more patient - which is why translating foreign films and shows into the local language is a bad idea from a language learning perspective. I remember when I was visiting a friend in Sweden, I noticed that the Simpsons were on TV in English with Swedish subtitles. I asked why he watches them in English and he said that all TV shows are shown in their original language. Then it became clear to me that although Scandinavia has a different official language, English is everywhere and that is why Scandinavians speak it the way they do.

The path to acquiring a foreign language at a high level always involves a lot of exposure and interaction - something the Scandinavian countries have adopted, but unfortunately Italy has not. You can't go back in time and change the number of hits you had on your tongue when you were younger, but you can make changes today. I recommend replacing the media you consume in your native language with the foreign language media you are learning, one by one. If you like watching news, start watching news in your target language. If you like watching The Simpsons, start watching The Simpsons in your target language, and so on. Massive exposure is essential for developing your core language. You also need interaction, but I will write more about that on another occasion. Start replacing media with foreign language media Today.

The incredibly high quality of education is another factor in the success of the Scandinavian peoples. The first difference between Scandinavia and Italy, based on my interactions with friends, that I can highlight is that the Scandinavian education system places more emphasis on the introduction of practical knowledge. The Italian education system is primarily focused on the acquisition of theoretical knowledge. I studied to be an electrical engineer at university and, despite studying the principles of printed circuit boards, I had never held them in my hands or worked with them in practice to understand how they worked. You are probably wondering how this is possible, well, I will explain, it is not obligatory for an engineer to directly work with printed circuit boards, this is done by technicians. However, I want to emphasize that the Scandinavian countries place more importance on combining practice with theory than in Italy, so I believe this is a factor in their success.

Another example was one time when I was using a language exchange website to practice Swedish online, and I noticed there were approximately 20 Swedish users on the site. I started a few conversations and after a few introductions I discovered that they were all the same age and came from the same part of Sweden. I wrote to one of them that it was strange to see so many Swedes on the Internet, and she replied that she was in an English class and the teacher asked them all to log on to a website to practice using English with the natives. I'm not sure if this happens in all English classes in Scandinavia, but I can assure that Italian classes are nothing less than that, and as far as I can tell, this is an indication of the emphasis on a combination of theory and practice.

Linguistic similarities

Danish, Swedish and Norwegian, like English, belong to the Germanic group of languages. Learning a language that is similar to your native language or a language you know well makes the learning process easier. I point this out not to diminish the achievements of the Scandinavians, but to highlight a factor that is often overlooked by beginning language learners. The difficulty of a foreign language is relative. There are many aspects to take into account, such as syntax, pronunciation and vocabulary. You might be surprised to learn that there are at least 1,558 Swedish words that you already know if you know English.

When you're choosing a foreign language to learn, it's important to realize how different it is from the languages ​​you already know.

We also have to recognize that we rarely get to meet someone learning Swedish, Danish or Norwegian who is not from Scandinavia, and that their languages ​​are only spoken in their countries, so they need to learn a foreign language if they want to interact with the rest of the world.

The Italians are in the same situation as the Scandinavians regarding language. So it goes to show that these are not enough reasons to learn a foreign language for everyone. The most important predictor of success in language learning is the learner's motivation, and that can come in various forms. Namely, needs and desires.

There's a lot to learn from the success Scandinavia has had with English. The most important of these is that the degree to which a foreign language is integrated into your life correlates with your ability to communicate in that language. Media is a powerful tool used for communication and entertainment around the world, so it is very powerful for language learning. I use foreign media all the time to expand and maintain my knowledge and abilities. For example, I often read the German newspaper "Der Spiegel" before going to bed. It is a habit. German is part of my life, so improving is not something I have to make a conscious effort to do more.

The need for Scandinavians to learn English is also something we can study. A strong motivation or desire to learn a language is critical to success. A big motivator for me to constantly improve my language skills are the friends I have made all over the world. I love sharing my life with people, and for me to do this in a way that I enjoy, I have to reach a fairly high level of competence. The needs and desires that motivate vary from person to person.

Integration the language you learn in your daily life, create the need to use it regularly, and to place great value on the combination of theory and practice. These are the reasons why Scandinavians speak exclusively English.

There are many countries in the world, but there are even more different languages ​​and dialects, the emergence and consolidation of which took place over many thousands of years. The official language of Norway is Norwegian, but in some regions of this constitutional monarchy the official language is Sami.

Varieties and divisions of the official language

The internationally recognized Norwegian language within this state has two forms:

• Bokmål is used as book speech;
• how new Norwegian is used nynoshk.

Moreover, both forms of the language are widespread and are used in everyday speech and official document circulation. That is why it is impossible to give a definite answer to the question of what language is spoken in Norway.

These linguistic features are of interest not only to those who are planning to visit Norway on a trip, but also to those who are simply interested in the various features of the countries of the globe.

Facts of history and statistics

To understand how the official language of Norway was formed and where all its features came from, you need to take into account that all dialects and adverbs have a common origin - the Old Norse language, which was used on the territory of several ancient states: Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

In addition to the two main forms, the people of Norway also use several other varieties of the language. Riksmol and högnoshk are considered popular, although they are not officially accepted. In general, almost 90% of the country's population speaks two forms of the language - Bokmål and Riksmål, and also use them in documents, correspondence, the press and Norwegian books.

Bokmål passed to the Norwegians during the Middle Ages, when the Norwegian elite used the Danish language. It developed on the basis of written language and was adapted to the Norwegian dialect in the east of the country. But Nynoshk was created in the mid-1800s, it arose from the dialects of western Norway and was introduced into use by the linguist Ivar Osen.

Dialects and language features

It has a slightly different history and roots; it belongs to the Finno-Ugric language group. Today it is spoken by about 20 thousand people in Norway, with a total population of just over 4.5 million. This is not such a small group, given that the official language of Norway is different from Sami.

Regardless of which language is the official one in Norway, almost every region and even village has its own characteristics and dialects. There are several dozen dialects, and their exact number is quite difficult to find out. After all, for this it would be necessary to study every remote piece of the territory of a constitutional monarchy for many years.

Norwegian has 29 letters, just like official Danish. Many words have a common origin and even a common spelling, but their sound has become increasingly different in Norwegian pronunciation over time. To learn the written language of Norway, you will have to take courses and spend a long time working on grammar. The Norwegian language is far from the Slavic group, so it is not so easy to understand.

When planning a trip or business trip, you need to remember that this is a special country - Norway. The official language is revered by the inhabitants of the monarchy as something sacred and special; they respect and honor their history. Therefore, little English is taught here, and people speak it reluctantly, even with foreign tourists.

Those who follow globalization are mainly young Norwegians who live in large cities and strive to work in companies that cooperate with other countries. In this case, they have to learn English and be able to speak fluently. However, even tourist sites and monuments rarely have English descriptions. To experience all the color and beauty of this place you will have to learn at least a few phrases in Norwegian.

The official language of Norway may seem complex and difficult to remember, but the simplest and most common phrases can be learned without much effort. Any Norwegian will be pleased if he is asked about where to stay or eat deliciously in his native language.

The most common words and phrases

When going to Norway, it is worth remembering at least a few basic phrases in the language of this country.

Norway is a beautiful and amazing country, although for many tourists it seems cold and unwelcoming. But a travel lover needs to visit this state at least once, enjoy the beauty of nature, varied national cuisine and be sure to learn to speak at least a few phrases in Norwegian.

This country, located on the Scandinavian Peninsula, is famous for its stunning landscapes and high standard of living. However, it gained its independence only a hundred years ago, so its language was formed in an interesting way.

To the whole world, the people of Norway speak Norwegian, but for the Norwegians themselves, there are several official dialects. What language is spoken in this northern country? In this article we will talk about the main dialects of Norway!

1 Norwegian language

In the 21st century, Norwegian is officially recognized on the territory of this Scandinavian country. But in fact, two forms of modern language are common among Norwegians - Bokmål and Nynoshk. Both dialects are recognized by the state as official.

There are also unofficial forms of the language: Riksmål - a more conservative version of Bokmål, used in writing; Högnoshk - "high Norwegian".

So, how are these adverbs different?

The fact is that residents of Norway can choose three language options to study. Bokmål is a classic version of literary speech; it (and riksmål) are used by 90% of citizens, and it is also studied by foreigners. Nynoshk is a relatively new literary modern language, which is chosen by 10% of residents when studying.

2 A little history

Norway owes this division of languages ​​not only to historical events, but also to geographical location. Norwegian is close to Icelandic, but still has a huge influence from Danish.

However, all these languages ​​belong to the Scandinavian group. During Viking times and until about the 13th century, Old Norse was used in these territories, and then each country began to use its own language.

In the 13th century, Old Norwegian was formed, but after the merger with Denmark, the language of this country became dominant. Until 1814, Norway was dependent on Denmark, and then entered into an agreement with. And in the 1840s, the Norwegians began to demand independence, and this primarily affected the language.

3 Finding your native language

In the 1840s, writers began to use more Norwegian words in their texts. Soon after the nationalist initiative, grammar and spelling were changed.

In 1899, new standards were finally adopted and the language was named Riksmol. It was used by the highest circles in Norway. But the Norwegian linguist Ivar Åsen put a lot of effort into creating a new spoken language. He traveled around his native country and studied the diversity of dialects to understand how Icelandic managed to resist the influence of foreign ones, but Norwegian did not.

By 1929, two dialects were officially formed - Nynoshk and Bokmål. Subsequent reforms attempted to introduce a single form of the language, Samnoshk, but were unsuccessful. Bokmål and Nynoshk remain popular among Norwegians.

4 Varieties and divisions of the official language

Since Norway has only five million inhabitants, geographically the settlements were very far from each other. Because of this, in addition to the main division, Norwegian is full of dialects. There are a great many of them, and it is customary to divide all dialects into two groups - East Norwegian and West Norwegian.

The main difference is the use of Bokmål, Riksmål and Nynoshk. Boksmål and, especially, riksmål are usually advocated by adherents of the country’s historical traditions. But more radical Norwegians are calling for the introduction of nynoshka.

5 Dialects and language features

All dialects are divided into four groups: Estlansk (eastern), Westlansk (western), Tröndeshk (center) and Nurnoshk (northern). In general, Norwegians can understand each other; the main differences between the dialects consist of grammar, vocabulary and syntax.

In addition, in the municipalities of Finnmark and Troms, Sami is recognized on a par with Norwegian. Yes, it is still used to this day by residents of northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. About 25 thousand people call him native.

Do not forget that although Norway is a European country, English is practically not widespread here. There are few signs in English, and even in large cities you rarely meet an English-speaking person. Of course, in some tourist areas, employees have knowledge of foreign languages, but this is very rare.

The official language in Norway is very revered, so they spend a lot of effort on preserving even the rarest dialects. For a tourist, it is best to learn a few phrases in Norwegian in advance, since you can’t hope to speak English in Norway.

7 Some interesting facts

1. Norwegian is considered a transitional language between Danish and Danish. Residents of these countries do not understand each other, but they can easily understand a Norwegian!
2. The Norwegian alphabet is very similar to the Danish alphabet and also has 29 letters. However, the Norwegians were the first to include the last letter in the alphabet, they did it in 1917, and the Danes in 1948.
3. In recent years, Norwegian has been greatly influenced by English. Many English words have found their way into Norwegian speech from the internet and the influence of pop culture.
4. Norwegian is tonal, which is very rare for Indo-European languages. Tonality is most often found in Asian languages, such as Chinese.

In general, Norwegian was greatly influenced by the country's geographical location - the abundance of valleys and mountains, as well as dependence on Denmark for several centuries. Norwegian became independent relatively recently!

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It is logical to assume that in Norway they speak Norwegian. It would seem that we can put a confident end to this, but in reality everything is not so simple. The language of the fjord country, like any other, has its own varieties, as well as internal divisions of the official language. Norwegian exists in two forms on the territory of the state: Bokmål and Nynoshk. The first, as you might guess, is used mainly in bookish speech, and the second is New Colloquial Norwegian. Moreover, both options are popular and widespread.

A little history

However, the ancestor of modern Norwegian is Old Norse. It was spoken in several countries: Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Viking traders, along with their goods, “delivered” the language to all European countries and even managed to deliver it to some regions of Rus'. This is probably why Old Norse became one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in the world at that time. Then it divided into western and eastern. The first option was “to the taste” of Norway and Iceland, and the second was used in Sweden and Denmark.

Basics

The main forms of the language used by a good part of the country's inhabitants are Riksmål and the aforementioned Bokmål. The latter originated in medieval times. Written Danish became the foundation for it. In the mid-19th century, nynoshk began its history. Linguist Ivar Osen gave it life, although Nynoshk is a collaboration, so to speak, of the dialects of western Norway. Traveling around the country, the young philologist compared dialects, studied them, and soon his work found a home in several books that were published at the end of the same century. Nynoshka also has an unofficial form, which is known as “high Norwegian”. It cannot be said that “High Norwegian” is popular, but nevertheless it is closest to Osen’s creation “The Language of the Country”.

About 20 thousand people in the country speak the Sami language. Its history is somewhat different, but it deserves special attention, given the fact that Sami is noticeably different from official Norwegian.

Dialects

Every corner of the country has its own dialects, the number of which exceeds several dozen. But they are all divided into two groups: Western Norwegian and Eastern Norwegian. In fact, the differences are quite significant and they lie not only in grammar, syntax, etc. Speakers of one dialect sometimes absolutely cannot understand their fellow speaker who speaks a “different” language.

Another interesting feature of the northern language is the absence of the concept of a pronunciation norm. For a Russian-speaking person, this is, of course, a priori strange, but formally, any Norwegian, speaking his own dialect, has the right in any setting, be it a gala reception or friendly gatherings, to use the features of his own dialect. For example, residents of Oslo consider their pronunciation norm to be the standard East Norwegian dialect, which is also the official language of the media.

New old letter

The Norwegian alphabet consists of 29 letters. By the way, the letter “å” can be considered a special feature of this language. Oddly enough, it appeared only in 1917. They borrowed it from the Swedish language - it existed there back in the 16th century.

How to learn Norwegian

If you are thinking about seriously studying Norwegian, it is better to choose courses and work hard enough to study grammar. The Viking language is very different from the Slavic group, so it is practically impossible to derive analogies and general rules.

In 1917, Norwegian underwent grammatical changes. So it was decided to remake some borrowed words in the “Norwegian way”. In Norway, this is done by the language council, which determines the norms and rules of the language - Norsk språkråd.

But the grammar of the “northern dialect” will please those who do not like to spend a long time studying the correct construction of a sentence. Let's take for example the verb "to be", which in Norwegian sounds like "er". It is mandatory for all European languages ​​and has the same form for absolutely all pronouns: “jeg”, “er”, “du”, “vi”. To express negation, you need to insert the particle “likke” after the verb: “jeg er” (I am) “jeg er likke” (I am not). If you want to ask a question, you should place the pronoun after the verb: "er jeg?" (I have?). Similar laws apply to the verb “ha” (to have): “jeg har”, “du har”, “vi har”. There is also a curious thing connected with articles. There is no definite article in the language, so to point out something, you just need to move the article to the end of the word: “en katt” (cat) becomes “katten”. There are three such articles in Norwegian: “en” for the masculine, “ei” for the feminine and “et” for the neuter.

English is also Norwegian

In general, almost everyone in Norway speaks English. You can always explain yourself in it, and as they say, you need to know. However, if you decide to learn Norwegian on your own, you need to remember a few simple and universal rules.

Alphabet

First, you need to become familiar with the letters of the alphabet. Take your time. Remember how they are written, how they are pronounced, and do not forget about transcription. When the alphabet ceases to cause surprise and indignation, you can work with the dictionary. Start by memorizing simple words. It’s better if you can find video lessons on correct pronunciation that are suitable for you on the Internet. The system is the same as when learning a language at school: write down new information in a notebook along with a transcription and gradually begin to memorize everything. The main thing is not to try to memorize a large amount of material at once. Now it is important to learn to speak correctly, and only then gradually increase the load.

Let's move on to grammar

Decide which written language you will study. This is where you have to sweat a little. You will need special literature specifically to study the chosen option. Follow the rules and tips from the tutorials. Be sure to write down the main points and try to select examples yourself. At this stage, it is not speed that is important, but quality. Be sure to complete all the exercises to consolidate your knowledge.

Important tip! Don't try to learn several written languages ​​at once - real confusion will occur.

Just to quickly understand phonetic features and quickly learn to memorize words, you need audio/video materials. Listening to native speakers during lessons and beyond is an integral part of learning any language. Of course, for this practice it is better to use video footage. Try to learn to understand what is being said without a dictionary or hints.

Choosing a training format

Nowadays, distance learning is increasingly gaining popularity even in secondary schools. For some, this format of learning a foreign language may be ideal, but the “remote” option is far from universal. If, nevertheless, the first method is preferable for you, it is important to think through the details of such training. Individual lessons via Skype may be considered. There is also a group learning technique with other students in an online class. This approach may be alarming at first, but the teachers of online services are quite competent and use only modern textbooks in their lessons. In addition, the advantages include independence from geolocation - you can study where it is convenient for you and choose the time based on your own schedule. Unless you should always have high-speed Internet at hand, but in large cities this is not a problem. If classes are held with a group - as a rule, there are 3-4 people in them - there is an opportunity to practice dialogues and improve language skills. The teacher pays sufficient attention to each student, which allows them to master grammar and vocabulary in a short time.

Online classes

There are so-called online classes as a type of distance learning. Now this method is increasingly gaining popularity among online services. Small classes of 10 people are formed and trained using special software. The disadvantages of this method include the fact that the teacher will not be able to devote much time to just one student.

We learn the language as a whole company

Distance learning is also possible for corporate clients. Typically, employee groups are formed of 10 people. An increase in this indicator will contribute to a decrease in the quality of the educational process. Classes are held in a closed format - only for employees of one company. Lessons during working hours allow the company to control the training itself. Such services are used by clients who want to enter the Norwegian market. Also, Norwegian companies, in turn, can provide a similar reception for Russian-speaking colleagues.

Group training

Group training may be considered as an alternative method. Its main feature is that students gain knowledge from each other while practicing pronunciation. Such groups should be attended by “students” with the same level of training and at least having a certain base. But sometimes, when among the students there are people who know the language better, beginners can “learn a lot” from them.

Learning from a native speaker

Of course, the most effective method is to study with a native speaker. There are many advantages to such training. Firstly, the student will be able to improve his pronunciation and expand his vocabulary with expressions that Norwegians most often use in colloquial speech. And the culture of the country will not remain on the sidelines.

Motivation

But if the problem is motivation, you can try to take part in language marathons. Such events usually have more than a hundred people. The idea is that participants compete with each other in completing tasks for which they are awarded points. Various prizes await those who score a large number of points. This technique greatly helps motivate a person.

In conclusion, I would like to add that before you begin to actively immerse yourself in learning Norwegian, the main thing is to understand why you want to study it and where it may be useful to you. But even if this becomes your harmless hobby, you will never regret having the opportunity to speak freely with a native Viking in his native language.

Our EdgeP reader writes:

1. Norway is a fantastic country. The richest and most diverse nature, huge reserves of energy resources and their reasonable development make the Norwegians an extremely wealthy nation.

2. The population of Norway is insignificant - they do not even reach 5 million people. This is about a quarter of modern Moscow. More than 1.5 million Norwegians live in the capital Oslo and its suburbs. Any city with a population of more than 30 thousand is considered large.

3. Know this: 100% of Norwegians speak, write and read English perfectly. Children learn a language from the age of 5–6 years or earlier. Any child over 10 can easily communicate with you in English. The exception is very old pensioners 75+.

4. Norwegians love and appreciate the sea. They prefer to live no further than 200–300 meters from the water, or in direct visibility of it. Those who live inland still buy a second house by the sea. 80% of the population has boats or motorboats.

5. Norway has an incredibly variable climate. Fog, sun, sharp wind, rain, and again fog can change with fantastic frequency. The Norwegians even coined a saying: “Don’t like our weather? wait 15 minutes."

6. The nature of Norway is majestic and diverse. Forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, sea, and everything else are in pristine condition. The attitude towards nature is very careful. There are no poachers, and there is practically no garbage either. Thanks to the sea, there are no mosquitoes or other evil spirits. It's not hot in summer... paradise!

7. By law, any resident of the country and its guest have the right of unhindered access to all natural resources without restrictions - both in the forest and at sea. You can walk and swim wherever you want. If the land is private or fenced, it is advisable to ask permission out of courtesy.

8. The stories that Norway is a very expensive country are true. In general, all goods are expensive, and the most ordinary products everywhere cost the same as in the ABC of Taste. It’s easy to go to a supermarket and spend 200 euros without really buying anything. Services (for example, taxis or construction) will cost even more - they simply cost unrealistic money. Gasoline is almost 2 euros per liter. Car taxes are crazy. At the same time, Norway is the second oil exporting country in Europe. Giants such as Shell or Statoil are Norwegian.

9. Products in Norway are of the highest quality. Especially dairy ones. The local ice cream is simply superb. Even at McDonald's, the meat in the hamburger is quite edible. By the way, here are the most expensive hamburgers in Europe. By the same principle, any ordinary fast food costs terrible money. In an ordinary pizzeria, paying 200 euros for 4 without alcohol is the norm. However, the pizza itself is not very good.

10. Compliance with laws and the absence of crime is almost everywhere. Theft is unthinkable for most residents. Only large retail chains have detector frames for theft of goods at the exit, or surveillance cameras. Otherwise, they are practically nowhere to be found.

11. Almost 100% of the population is connected to high-speed Internet. Due to the climate and long distances, Norwegians spend a lot of time online.

12. Norwegians love and protect their monarchy. The older population is more proud than the younger population of maintaining the royal family.

13. In comparison with other Europeans, almost any Norwegian who travels outside the country is a mini-oligarch. In Asian countries this is generally the case with kings. The average salary for many Norwegians can be up to 5–7 thousand euros per month. Thus, for visitors, local prices are prohibitive, but for locals everything is ok.

14. Sea and lake fishing in Norway is a connoisseur's paradise. There is an incredible variety of fish and various sea creatures. There are fishing regions only in the northern regions, and starting from the city of Bergen and to the south there is no fishing. You can catch it anytime, in any weather, almost anywhere. Crabs, mussels, sea snails and other goodies are also in abundance. No fishing licenses are needed.

15. That is why many Europeans have recently developed a profitable hobby: coming to Norway in refrigerated trucks, living in the cheapest houses or tents, fishing for two weeks without a break, stocking up on fish for 6 months in advance, and leaving back. The Germans, Dutch and Belgians are perhaps the most active.

16. Norwegians do not collect gifts from the forest, do not understand mushrooms and berries, and do not know the properties of herbs. Therefore, in a good season, all this stuff is simply piled up. In a good year there are so many mushrooms that in 2–3 hours one person can collect a 100-liter bag of selected white ones. I’m not even talking about blueberries, wild raspberries and blackberries - they grow everywhere like weeds.

17. Norwegians are terribly surprised and admire the knowledge of Russians about mushrooms and berries. Many are sure that we are brave and risky people if we go into the forest to collect them. They refuse to try. In the supermarket they easily buy greenhouse mushrooms and chanterelles, completely ignoring the forest 10 meters from the house. It's shocking at first.

18. You can’t just buy strong alcohol in Norway! It is sold only in special stores - Vinmonopolet. Translated as alcohol monopoly. Owned by the state. They work strictly Monday-Friday; in the capital there seem to be shops on Saturday, open until 7 o’clock maximum, with a long break for lunch in the middle of the day. And they are not available everywhere. Alcohol is incredibly expensive there: a bottle of vodka for 70–100 euros is the norm.

19. In supermarkets you can only buy beer or cider no stronger than 5.2 degrees. Everything above, including wine, is only available in a restaurant, bar, or as already stated in the wine monopoly.

20. Norwegians love to drink, but they don’t know how. They get drunk quickly, lose their minds just as quickly, and act noisy and funny. The skills to recover from a hangover, or the knowledge of how to cheer yourself up with cucumber or cabbage pickle, are absent as a fact. They become wildly delighted if they are brought to their senses in such a simple way.

21. Norway has the longest fjords in the world. A fiord is a wide, often winding and deep channel with rocky shores, piercing from the sea deep into the mainland for many kilometers. Fiords also exist in Canada, Chile, and New Zealand. The ones in Norway are the most beautiful.

22. Norwegians are very mediocre women in terms of beauty. Of medium height, stocky, tightly built with wide-set eyes, snub nose, and generally very independent.

23. But Norwegian men are the opposite: tall, athletic, many have natural blondes, a kind of Vikings with a wide smile and blue eyes. One can understand why they are not always in a hurry to marry local Norwegian women.

24. Many Norwegian children are extraordinarily beautiful. Blonde, slender, athletic, some with curly hair - the purity of genetic lines is visible. Children are raised quite strictly. It is not customary to pamper.

25. You can drive all day through central Norway, or indeed through any other part of it, and not see a single police car. Or the police themselves. But a tractor on the road at a speed of 40 km per hour is quite common.

26. Every next day is similar to the previous one. In the sense that everything flows very calmly and measuredly. Norwegians start working at about 10 am, and by 4 am they wrap up. On weekends, only restaurants or supermarkets are open. Nobody is in any particular hurry.

27. Almost 100% of the population skis and snowboards. Women are often no worse than men.

28. Children start skiing from the age of 4–5. Seeing a dad pushing a baby down a very decent slide for that age is a normal thing. Children of about 10 years old make me, a person with 12 years of experience, almost effortless.

29. On country roads, usually near a farm, you can often find a table with vegetables or fruits. And the price tag is worth it. On it there will be scales, shopping bags, and a jar for money. This is a form of self-service. Everything is built on trust. There's no one around.

30. Young Norwegians and even middle-aged people are very fond of science fiction and fantasy as a genre. Movies like Lord of the Rings or Star Wars are very popular.

31. Most of the programs on TV are in English, with Norwegian subtitles at most. It is very comfortable.

32. Norwegians dress very casually and simply, like all of Europe in general. It is difficult to see a beautifully dressed girl or guy.

33. Local cuisine is simple and unpretentious. They don't cook very well, to put it mildly. But the Norwegians have succeeded in preparing fish recipes: dried, salted, smoked, etc., a lot of it is delicious. It is customary to prepare seafood very simply: a minimum of any additives, a minimum of processing. Try local fish caviar in iron tubes like RekerOst - very tasty.

34. For the most part, Norwegians are well-mannered and trusting people. The older generation is quite pedantic; many follow the traditional way of life and business.

35. Getting a very large loan from a bank at 3–4 percent per annum is not at all difficult. In general, everything is done for the sake of man. You can plan your life 10 years in advance, including any expenses and career advancement. And the plan will come true.

36. The attitude towards foreigners is reserved but friendly. Norwegians calmly invite people to visit, share food, and help with advice. It is quite possible to make good friends.

37. There is practically no active life outside of big cities. No clubs, no cinema, no shopping centers. However, there are almost no Norwegians themselves either.

38. The state does its best to support the population's employment in at least some way. There are subsidies in many areas of private business. So, you can buy 30 sheep, nail tags on their ears, declare to the state that I am now a cheerful farmer, and let them graze for a whole year on some island. For this you can receive subsidies, equipment, and benefits from the state. At the end of the year, catch and sell - and earn a little more.

39. The murder of at least one person is discussed on national TV and radio for at least a week. Robbery too.

40. Roads in Norway are very good, but almost the entire regional transport network is single-lane. The highway offers only one lane in each direction. This is terribly annoying.

41. In recent years, Norway has increased the influx of immigrants from other countries. And not only from traditional Africa or Asia - but we even met Chechens! Most immigrants behave arrogantly, don’t want to integrate, don’t learn the language, gather in groups, breed like cockroaches, don’t like to work and exploit the system. This was not the case 10 years ago.

42. Learning Norwegian, or Norsk, is quite difficult. Lots of jumping intonations, different root words. But if you try, everything is ok in two years.

43. Many young Norwegians complain about boring lives, over-enforcement of laws, high prices and a harsh climate. However, they are proud to be themselves and part of the nation.

44. In summer, the southern part of the country is a very warm place. Strawberries, plums and pears ripen in abundance. The water in some places is up to 20 degrees, and swimming in the North Sea is very fun. You can even get a tan.

45. Airplane flights within the country, as well as abroad, are extremely cheap. At the same time, the quality of service is higher than that of European airline discounters. Flying to Dubrovnik from Bergen (3.5 hour flight) for 40 euros, or to Amsterdam for 35 from Oslo is common.

46. Smoking is being fought with unrealistic tobacco prices. However, Norwegians love to smoke. Many people buy cut tobacco in briquettes and smoke hand-rolled cigarettes, or bring cigarettes from duty free.

47. Norway has the largest total number of tunnels in Europe. There are simply hundreds of them everywhere. There is one that passes under the sea strait at a depth of about 4 km. Some tunnels are tolled, as are some bridges.

48. Renting a car, even the simplest one, is expensive. 2–3 times more expensive than in some European countries. There are very few gasoline ones. Diesel is our everything.

49. Norway is the northernmost point of mainland Europe. Called North Cape, it is located on the edge of a cliff far to the north. In good weather you can see the edge of the Arctic glaciers.

50. Despite its geographical proximity to Sweden, the people of Norway are different people. And in general, among all the Scandinavians, they must be the most original. Nature also differs.

51. The funds Norway receives from the sale of resources are distributed wisely. Norway has an unrealistic amount of real estate and land abroad. But few people know about this - they prefer to behave with restraint.

52. Due to the large number of islands and straits, the ferry network is very developed. Ferries go anywhere and very often. You can save hours of travel by taking a ferry. Mostly in my car. The ferries themselves are large, comfortable, and relatively inexpensive.

53. In Norway it is legal to catch sea crab, but it is forbidden to catch lobster. If a lobster gets to your crabber, and this happens quite often, according to the rules it must be released. When asked “what do you do with the lobster,” most Norwegians smile and say that, of course, they release this wonderful arthropod into the wild - while winking slyly. Live lobsters are sold at the fish market; their catch is subject to quotas.

54. Silver is inexpensive in Norway. Good quality silver products.

55. If you come as a tourist, do not forget to ask for Tax-free everywhere you go. It can be issued almost everywhere and for any goods, from a purchase amount equivalent to 50 euros. As a result, you can return up to 30% of the money spent.

56. A hero of Norwegian folklore, the troll is a very popular symbol in many establishments. Despite their very demonic appearance, trolls are spirits of nature, they protect it and also help good people. Here's an interesting fact: take a figurine of a troll, place it next to it, and try to compare it with the appearance of the surrounding local residents, especially women. An attentive observer will be able to spot unexpected similarities!

57. Pets, especially dogs, are extremely well-mannered. They bark a little, are very friendly, and do not bother their owners at all. Even with each other they are very reserved.

58. It's not easy to piss off a Norwegian. Many will prefer not to get involved. But if you achieve your goal, don’t expect anything good. Norwegians can be terrible when angry.

59. Energy in Norway costs crazy amounts of money. In 4 weeks, a family of 5 people can easily spend about 1 thousand euros on electricity. And even more. Be very rational with your energy expenses.

60. The care of children and young people is very strong. It is not at all uncommon for 20–30 children from one area to go to kindergarten, and no one else. Another kindergarten is being built for others. And this is not just a house with a playroom. This is a whole complex of a playground, locker rooms, toilets, kitchen, etc. It is customary to take off your shoes at the entrance. Being a child in Norway is a blessing.

61. There are few high-rise buildings and residential complexes, almost none. Mostly people live in private houses. The houses are simple but comfortable. They are usually painted red or blue and white, often with a field grass lawn on the roof. This is not only a tribute to tradition - such a roof insulates perfectly in winter. Looks funny.

62. There are not many generally known facts about Norway. The most famous associations are the Vikings, Edvard Grieg, mountains, fiords and trolls.

63. Most of the economy's income comes to the treasury from the sale of petroleum products. Next comes marine fishing, shipbuilding, engineering and the construction of deep-sea platforms.

64. The northern part of the country is very different from the southern part in climate. In winter it is cold and snowy in the north. In the south there may be no snow at all and the temperature in winter is above zero.

65. You can buy whale meat at the market or supermarket. It is scarce and expensive. Whale meat is dark, almost black, and tastes like elk meat. They sell steaks and minced meat.

66. In some cities, the local fauna has become completely accustomed to the proximity of humans. Pigeons in the square can land right on your hand and dashingly start eating your bun. Seagulls can hover a meter from the deck of a passing ferry and grab thrown bread right in the air.

6 7. Engineering universities, maritime academies, as well as oil and gas institutes are very prestigious.

68. According to tradition, every man must make a knife and sheath for himself. With my own hands. Everything you need for this is sold in abundance. Blades, blanks, tools, leather. Handles made from scraps of Karelian birch are especially good. Difficult to process, but beautiful and durable.

69. Along the road you can often find small cairns. They are called “tog” and no one touches them. Previously, they were folded so as not to lose their way after a snowfall or in heavy fog. Now this is a funny tradition.

70. There is a lot of game and wild animals. A deer or a galloping roe deer running onto the road is not uncommon.

71. When drinking, Norwegians clink glasses and say “Skol!” In this case, the letter “O” sounds like something between “o” itself and “e”. Toasting is not accepted.

72. The population of the country is not very religious. Of course, there are churches and cathedrals, but not many. Mostly adults attend the service.

73. If you live in nature in your house and have only electricity, you can get 80% of your food from the land. The sea is rich in all types of marine food, the water in streams and many lakes is drinkable without pre-treatment, and the forests are rich in game and fruits. However, the population is very wealthy, and in general does not burden nature with its presence.

74. The Norwegians have nothing, and there is no need to share with each other. In addition, many people usually know each other. As a result, there is a complete absence of clashes or hostile groups. But visitors who were generously allowed to come and live in the country often crowd out the locals with their behavior and arrogance.

75. It is not the Norwegians who write correctly, but the Norwegians :) Forgive me, everyone, for the habit of writing incorrectly.

76. Finding decent Russian products is not at all easy. It’s easier to order them online and have them delivered. But there are exceptions. So, Kefir is sold in supermarkets everywhere. Almost like ours. But it’s easier to pickle cucumbers or ferment cabbage yourself.

77. If you set a goal, then in a fairly short time you can achieve a meeting with the prime minister of the country. To do this, it is not at all necessary to be a famous oligarch, a member of his party or a classmate from his student days.

78. If the owners are at home, it is customary to raise the national flag on a flagpole next to the house. Many people have it. When leaving, it is lowered.

79. Respect for private property is observed throughout. During the day, most houses are not locked at all, except in large cities - and this is completely safe. It is customary to visit by invitation.

80. Recently, online poker has become very popular in the country. Today this is a common trend throughout Scandinavia. Norwegian players are popular and very dangerous: they are aggressive, persistent and calculating. Many achieve excellent results in the world poker arena.

81. You can bring high-quality alcohol as a gift to Norwegians. From the hands of the Russians this is even recommended. There are no clichés in this.

82. After sea fishing, many people want to try lake or river fishing. Often at the entrance to a freshwater lake you can see a poster prohibiting the use of marine gear in the lake. In particularly fishy lakes, there are dispensers with detergents for your fishing rods and tackle at the entrance. This measure prevents marine microorganisms on the gear from moving into fresh water. There have already been cases of algae infection.

83. There are practically no expensive cars on the roads in Norway. In half the cases, the new S-Class or BMW X6 will be driven by Germans or other Europeans.

84. It is almost impossible to meet people begging on the streets. The only exceptions are big cities, and almost always it is someone from immigrants. In the nineties this did not happen at all.

85. Registering your own company is quite simple. Be prepared to pay high taxes and remember that the Norwegians are very conservative in their choice of goods and services.

86. There is a beautiful amusement park near Oslo. It is very interesting and fun, there are very few queues.

87. Civil aviation pilots are cold-blooded and fearless guys. Takeoff and landing are often very rapid, and the weather conditions are not the most ideal. But this is justified - there are solid mountains around, there are not many direct platforms, and you need to take off quickly. Dozens of flights across the country under very harsh conditions have repeatedly proven to me their professionalism.

88. When traveling in Norway, splurge on a traditional wool sweater! Usually they are painted in multi-colored patterns, sometimes with deer, squares or broken lines. They can be very expensive, from 300 euros - but the quality is excellent, and they will serve you for an incredibly long time, without fading or shrinking.

89. Unless it's a foreigner or an immigrant, the chances of someone throwing a cigarette at you on the street are zero. If you share it with a friend, he will try to return it to you.

90. Local residents are not inclined to be overweight. They spend a lot of time at sea and in the fresh air, their food is not greasy and of good quality. There is very little fast food.

91. When Norwegian wives get married, they become very homely. They are often very educated, hardworking and well-mannered. Considering the fact that many citizens have been inheriting wealth for several generations, women are often quite wealthy even before marriage.

92. All cars on Norwegian roads have a built-in low beam mode that is always on. It is not disabled in most cases. This is due to the changeable weather.

93. For renting a boat with an engine less than 9 hp. no management license required. It is almost impossible to rent anything that is more powerful and faster without special water rights.

9 4. The English word Thursday comes from the name of the Norse god of thunder, Thor. At first, the day was called Thor's day.

95. Showing off, showing off and showing off are not held in high esteem by the Norwegians. Mostly immigrants and tourists behave this way.

96. There are few Russians, almost none. This is good, because our citizens tend to do shit and behave provocatively. Recently, more often in the summer, our tourists have become more numerous. The majority are wealthy and so far behave in a civilized manner.

97. Go to the grocery store, find a large refrigerator with bags of frozen shrimp sold by weight, put them in a thermal bag, weigh them, pay for them - and at home just dump them in the kitchen sink and turn on the boiling water. Once the shrimp are thawed and heated through, remove and serve. The shrimp will be juicy, flavorful and already quite salty. There is no need to boil or specially prepare them.

98. Finding a sushi restaurant or cafe that serves sushi is almost impossible. They are only in Oslo, Bergen, and it seems in Stavanger. In other cities there is only one such establishment. The quality is very modest. And of course, expensive.

99. The private lives of citizens rarely become public domain. Getting involved in other people's relationships is also not accepted. Norwegians usually do not talk about personal things to anyone.

100. In the summer, Norwegians love to travel to warm countries, but they don’t mind going to places where it’s warm and also has mountains. For example, you can find them in Croatia, Montenegro, and western Italy.

101. I really love Norway, its harsh and majestic nature, calm and kind people.