Norwegian: varg vs ulv: interaction between dialects

[Xander2024]

Hello everyone,In my dictionary yesterday I came across the word "varg" marked as a dialect. As far as I understand, by "dialect" they mean nynorsk. The word "vargjakt" is however not marked as a dialect. So I'm wondering if the two Norwegian dialects have some points of tangency, like maybe there are some words that can be used interchangeably, for example "vargjakt" instead of "ulvejakt"?

Takk.

 

[TomTrussel]

No dialect I'm aware of use "varg" much these days. Both words have been used since old Norse though, although Varg had a 2nd meaning, "å være varg i veum" meant one was "lyst fredløs", I'm not sure of a good English term that covers it, but it basically means there would be no punishment or prosecution for whoever managed to kill or hurt you in any way.

In Norwegian dialects we also have a LOT of different names used for ulv, because it was considered a bad omen or a jinx if you like, if someone called it by its real name, ulv.

In modern day, we seems to use just "ulv" most of the time, and usual term for the hunt would be "ulvejakt"

TT

 

[Xander2024]

Takk for svaret, Tom. And does it ever happen so that words from nynorsk are used in bokmål and vice versa? I mean, do they ever mix or would it be considered ungrammatical?

 

[TomTrussel]

Takk for svaret, Tom. And does it ever happen so that words from nynorsk are used in bokmål and vice versa? I mean, do they ever mix or would it be considered ungrammatical?

There are many words that are the same in both languages, but writing a word that is not, in a text that is of the other language, would qualify as an error in school.

TT

 

[Xander2024]

I see, thanks a lot.

 

[Tjahzi]

As a reference, in Swedish, varg caught on and has completely replaced ulv as of today. However, we retain the first name Ulf.

(As such, it's reasonable to believe that there might be a line dividing the ulf/varg areas and that that line doesn't necessarily follow the official language boundary.)

 

[Xander2024]

and that that line doesn't necessarily follow the official language boundary.)

I should think so, Tjahzi.

 

[OdilonRedon]

Hello everyone,In my dictionary yesterday I came across the word "varg" marked as a dialect. As far as I understand, by "dialect" they mean nynorsk. The word "vargjakt" is however not marked as a dialect. So I'm wondering if the two Norwegian dialects have some points of tangency, like maybe there are some words that can be used interchangeably, for example "vargjakt" instead of "ulvejakt"?

Takk.

No dialect I'm aware of use "varg" much these days. Both words have been used since old Norse though, although Varg had a 2nd meaning, "å være varg i veum" meant one was "lyst fredløs", I'm not sure of a good English term that covers it, but it basically means there would be no punishment or prosecution for whoever managed to kill or hurt you in any way.

In Norwegian dialects we also have a LOT of different names used for ulv, because it was considered a bad omen or a jinx if you like, if someone called it by its real name, ulv.

In modern day, we seems to use just "ulv" most of the time, and usual term for the hunt would be "ulvejakt"

TT

“I'm not sure of a good English term that covers it, but it basically means there would be no punishment or prosecution for whoever managed to kill or hurt you in any way.”

I believe this was the original understanding of the word “outlaw.” It meant that one was no longer under the protection of the law.

 

[AutumnOwl]

“I'm not sure of a good English term that covers it, but it basically means there would be no punishment or prosecution for whoever managed to kill or hurt you in any way.”

I believe this was the original understanding of the word “outlaw.” It meant that one was no longer under the protection of the law.

In medieval times the term used when sentencing someone to outlawry was caput (gerat) lupinum, wolt's head/may he wear a wolfish head.
Caput lupinum - Wikipedia

 

[winenous]

Hello everyone,In my dictionary yesterday I came across the word "varg" marked as a dialect. As far as I understand, by "dialect" they mean nynorsk. The word "vargjakt" is however not marked as a dialect.

I don't know what dictionary you are using, but "varg" is officially correct bokmål and nynorsk, according to the definitive bokmålordboka and nynorskordboka
Ordbøkene.no - Bokmålsordboka og Nynorskordboka

 

[Segorian]

I believe this was the original understanding of the word “outlaw.” It meant that one was no longer under the protection of the law.

Exactly. Old Norse vargr and Old English wearg both had the meaning of ‘criminal’ or ‘outlaw’. That also seems to be the idea behind vargr in the meaning of ‘wolf’: an evildoer among creatures.