Prof. Luca Cavalli Sforza is way out of line.
It's true that we humans have a language gene. But there are no genes for a specific language.
Children learn language even before they are born. And it's always the child that learn it's mothers language.
For example. I have a nephew that are born in England.
He doesn't understand Swedish at all.
My sisters mother tongue is of course Swedish but since she lives in England she now speak English.

What a great thread! 👍
So many thoughts and opinions on a subject so far from SETI 👽
Much kudos (greek?) to thread starter moomin for conceiving the idea 👏

I love it when people say a letter is pronounced "like the English letter in word" - English has many regional variations in pronunciation, and I spend the next few minutes trying to work out which variation is actually meant

I tried to avoid this problem by using the terms 'vowel sound' and 'consonant sound', but realize now that this may just have obscured the subject further 😁

I wrote an illustrated book "Esperimenti con i grandi scienziati" ...... I have now only the Norwegian edition. Since I don't understand it, can somebody tell me which kind of Norwegian is this back cover text and what does it mean

Congratulations on having a book published in Norwegian!
Your back cover text is in 'Bokmål', and moomin has already given an excellent translation of it.

I suppose you have too different dialects from zones. For example, a Norwegian from the '' north '' has a different pronunciation than a Norwegian from '' south ''?

Yes, Norway is full of various dialects, as mentioned in the last paragraph of message 1932214 (above), and their pronunciation varies greatly. Particularly items like sentence melody, palatalization and guttural 'r' show a great variation between Norwegian dialects. Some dialects also love chopping off the ending of various words as well as offering alternative conjugations.

Like people from the northern part of Norway speak almost Swedish.

I am afraid you will receive a lot of north Norwegian disagreement by that statement. Not many 'Nordlendinger' will admit to speaking Swedish! A bit of nationalism will surely kick in 🙂
What may be tolerated is the assumption that northern Norwegian and northern Swedish dialects differ less from eachother than comparing dialects from other regions of the countries.
But .... does anyone live on the Swedish side of the northern border anyway? 😄

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But .... does anyone live on the Swedish side of the northern border anyway? 😄

Yes. My mother grew up in northern Värmland:)
They have a sentence melody that is very like Norwegian. And lot's of words that are not Swedish.
However 'Nordlendinger' from places like Tromsö, they speak very much like Swedish.
Speaking of Norwegian and Värmland sentence melody.
It's always a happy melody no matter of mode.
Have you ever heard an angry Norwegian or 'Värmlänning'?
Det är rart. Icke sant:)
Swedish dialects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2V1iH3VvbA

Ah, Robert Gustafsson tests dialects 😀

I'm not familiar with all the dialects Robert demonstrates here, but am able to recognize a few.
To me, 'Mora', 'Karlstad' and 'Göteborg' seem spot on! based on occasional trips through Värmland to reach Göteborg, and through Dalarna to reach Stockholm.

But .... does anyone live on the Swedish side of the northern border anyway? 😄
...
Yes. My mother grew up in northern Värmland:)

'Ack Värmeland, du sköna!'
Yes, I am quite aware that some Swedes live in nice towns like Arvika & Karlstad. To a Norwegian, however, Värmland hardly counts as being on the NORTHERN border. I mean, Värmland is on the same latitude as Oslo. That is pretty much down south-east 🙂
No, by northern border I mean places like: western Dalarna, Härjedalen, Jämtland and (above all) Lappland. Obviously, I know of towns like Östersund and villages like Älvdalen & Åre, and I've even heard of a couple of skiers from Tärnaby, but that's pretty much it!
Driving through (north-)western Sweden, I get very familiar with pine woods, I may see some marshes and spot an occasional red cabin. Any people to form a dialect seems scarce.
On the Norwegian side of the border, in contrast, there seem to be people clinging to hamlets and farm houses along every country road.
Please, I am not trying to be spiteful by these observations, but I find it fascinating that 2 neighboring countries have developed such different patterns of settlement.
I wonder if this is a result of a wanted policy or happened merely by (mis)chance? 🤔

However 'Nordlendinger' from places like Tromsö, they speak very much like Swedish.

I'm afraid I totally disagree. 'Tromsøværinger' (inhabitants) speak a beautiful, coastal dialect not similar to any Swedish dialect I've heard.

Have you ever heard an angry Norwegian or 'Värmlänning'?

Oh yes, I have heard many angry Norwegians, and with various dialects 😄
No, I haven't heard any angry 'Värmlänning' (yet). That may of course be because I haven't met enough 😄

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To me, a Söderkis from Stockholm, everything above about 100 km north of Stockholm is very northern.
Yes, The whole border to Norway is northern.
Does the words Nor Way ring a bell:)

Oh. We in Sweden have some editions of Norwegian glossaries with words that Norwegians seem to have forgot.
Guleböj
Kempetorsk
Kybelkanin
Klantetejp
Pansartax
Brusefotölj
Klapperslang
Tallefjant
Rumpekrafs
Rumpetroll
Skurkeburk
Voffer då, då?

Oh. We in Sweden have some editions of Norwegian glossaries with words that Norwegians seem to have forgot.
..
Rumpetroll
...

Uff, My mom used to call my brother that (or some other Norwegian "slang" words) when he was really mischievous or naughty!

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Uff, My mom used to call my brother that (or some other Norwegian "slang" words) when he was really mischievous or naughty!

Rumpetroll is actually a real Norwegian word. It means Tadpole or Pollywog.
I included that because in Swedish that means something completely different.
And in English as well I think:)

Troll is a funny word. It has now two meanings in Swedish.
First it was ugly and rich beasts lurking around the forest at night, now also beasts lurking around in social media.
Moomin Trolls are the worst! But I'm fluent in their language.

TV is actually a good way to learn foreign languages.
Here are many TV programming in English.
Subtitled in Swedish of course.
But in for instance the US, France, Russia and Germany they don't use subtitles.
No, It's some speaker that speak in some fake accent that read the transcript instead.
Dubbing as it's called.
I find that very annoying especially let's say an interviewer interview in a language I already know.
Often in the news they also mix the both languages!
Have the countries mentioned problem with reading?

To me, a Söderkis from Stockholm, everything above about 100 km north of Stockholm is very northern.

Ah Stockholm, the prettiest capital in Scandinavia 👍 And Söder, the 'trävligaste' district in town; full of sidewalk cafés and nice music stores (Halkans, Hellstone, 4Sound Folkungagatan). I usually visit sometime during summer, and the season really gives credit to the city. I know it may be a bit harsh during winter though, but never mind 🏒
In comparison Oslo is merely a dump by the fjord 😯 In Oslo, you'll also find people who think there is nothing of interest north of 'ring 3' (ring road apx 5 miles north of city center). It seems like human life stops there. Everything beyond is just empty white plains with occasional mountaintops 🏔

Oh. We in Sweden have some editions of Norwegian glossaries with words that Norwegians seem to have forgot.
Guleböj, Kempetorsk, Kybelkanin, Klantetejp, Pansartax, Brusefotölj, Tallefjant ...

😄 I may fill in the list: Orangekule, Periskophäst, Blötebytte, Tuttekasse, Rullebrum, Sprattlevann, Fjuneflås, Snurremaskin, Stavangerägg, Pingvinkofte ... 😄
No, the Swedish glossary is not forgotten. You don't have to talk long with a Swede before questions about these words arise. Some even ask in total seriousness 🤣

Despite being mainly an expression of friendly neighboring rivalry, some of these words are not far off. In fact:
- Hybelkanin [no] = Dammråtta [sw] \ Dustbunny. Sounds nicer though
- Klapperslange [no] = Skallerorm [sw] \ Rattlesnake
- Gulrot [no] = Morot [sw] \ Carrot
- Homse [no] = Bög [sw] \ Gay (man)
- Lyspære [no] = Glödlampa [sw] \ Lightbulb

In my opinion Norwegian also uses some words which are actually more 'spot on' than their Swedish counterparts:
- Rusbrus [no] > Alkoläsk [sw] \ Bubbly soda (brus) to get drunk (rus). Spot on!
- Stresskoffert [no] > Portefölj [sw] \ All these stressed men with briefcases (koffert) hurrying off to work. Spot on!
- Lommedisco [no] > Freestyle [sw] \ Sony's old walkman. A disco in your pocket (lomme). 'Freestyle' what's that?
- Kringkasting [no] > ?? [sw] \ Direct translation of broadcasting. Cast broad (kring). Is there even a Swedish word?
- Olabukser [no] > Jeans [sw] \ Denim pants (bukser) which John Doe (Ola/Svenne) puts on for daily toil.

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- Kringkasting [no] > ?? [sw] \ Direct translation of broadcasting. Cast broad (kring). Is there even a Swedish word?

Kringkasting means Utsändning.
Kringkasting could also mean Kringkastning, throwing things around.
To us it sounds like employees at Norsk Rikskringkasting are angry throwing things around the country:)

Hi moomin and GeirA.

Surströmming

Fermented herring 😮😮Have you ever eaten it?

Which other typical dishes of Sweden and/or Norway you know?

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MYGA! MAKE YAWN GREAT AGAIN

Oh dear.
Surströmming:( I have tried it twice. No more!
It's fermented herring that is made only in the northern part of Sweden. Not in Norway.
Actually there are very few who enjoy it...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surstr%C3%B6mming
But it's a tradition to have Surströmming parties during a week in late August up there.
We other have Crayfish parties instead in the same time :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfish_party

One dish that Norway and Sweden share is lutefisk/lutfisk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutefisk

And of course Pickled herring shared by all Nordic countries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickled_herring

Three Scandinavian dishes that foreigner always think are odd:)

Oh dear.
Surströmming:( I have tried it twice. No more!
It's fermented herring that is made only in the northern part of Sweden. Not in Norway.
Actually there are very few who enjoy it...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surstr%C3%B6mming
But it's a tradition to have Surströmming parties during a week in late August up there.
We other have Crayfish parties instead in the same time :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfish_party

One dish that Norway and Sweden share is lutefisk/lutfisk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutefisk

And of course Pickled herring shared by all Nordic countries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickled_herring

Three Scandinavian dishes that foreigner always think are odd:)

Pickled herring :Q__
We have the anchovies in oil.

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MYGA! MAKE YAWN GREAT AGAIN

Pickled herring :Q__
We have the anchovies in oil.

Yes.
And the Dutch, Swedes and Germans have Soused herring (maatjesharing or just maatjes in Dutch, or matjes in German and Swedish).
Just remove the oil and add some spices when preparing anchovies and you get Soused herring.

Must admit that I've never braced myself for trying 'surströmming' 😄
As stated earlier by moomin, it belongs solely to northern Sweden. It's quite infamous though, even in northern Norway, where the distance to Sweden is just a few kms. Rumor has it that the cans, pressurized by fermentation, are best opened under water: to avoid the contents splashing all over the eager diners, the furniture or the whole room.

Normally, Norwegians are not too keen on food from the Baltic Sea, with the occasional exception of fresh 'strömming' on 'knäckebröd' when visiting its shores. Think of all the large cities surrounding the Baltic Sea, and all the rivers that have conveyed their sewers and other pollution to that shallow and limited water-mass for so many years ⚠☣

Other typical, 'famous / infamous, Norwegian (or even Scandinavian) dishes are:

Lutefisk (also stated by moomin) - served with bacon, mashed peas and boiled potatoes
Rakfisk - served with 'lefse', raw onion ans sour cream http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakfisk
Gravlaks - served with dill & mustard sauce on thin bread http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravlax
Fårikål - casserole with boiled potatoes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fårikål
Pinnekjøtt - served with mashed rutabaga and potatoes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnekjøtt
Smalahove - also served with mashed rutabaga and potatoes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smalahove

Most of these dishes are sesonal and festive and usually accompanied by akevitt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akvavit and brown ale 🥂🍻

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Pinnekjøtt. Another funny word to us Swedes.
First I thought it was meat skewer (kjøtt spyd) because Pinne means a stick in Swedish.
And it's served with Rutabaga that is also called Swede in English:)

btw. Smalahove (sheep's head) is a traditional dish as well in Gotland in the Baltic Sea.
I prefer to eat food that is not looking at you:)

Oh. Eurovision Song Contest on TV right now.
In the old days there was a rule that you had to sing in your own language.
Now however most prefer to sing in English.
I think that's a pity.
And who cares what they are singing about anyway:)

First I thought it was meat skewer (kjøtt spyd) because Pinne means a stick in Swedish

'Pinne' means stick in Norwegian too. The Wikipedia article is maybe ambiguous, but the term 'pinne-' in this context comes from the fact that the meat is traditionally cooked on top of a checked pattern of birch sticks 'pinner' in the pot ❎


Interesting to learn that 'smalahove' also is a local dish of Gotland 🤔

Please AndrewMarcio, let us hear about some typical, but unknown Italian specialities! 😋

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Eurovision Song Contest on TV right now.
In the old days there was a rule that you had to sing in your own language.
Now however most prefer to sing in English.
I think that's a pity.
And who cares what they are singing about anyway:)

+1

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Please AndrewMarcio, let us hear about some typical, but unknown Italian specialities! 😋

I can help Andrea with Italian delicacies foreigners find hard to stomach:)
Casu Marzu and some others.
https://www.thelocal.it/galleries/culture/italian-delicacies-foreigners-find-hard-to-stomach/
A Swedish tribute to Italian food.
Canneloni Macaroni https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLr8RNwy5zY