(IS) compiled comm posts
Compiled questions, answers, and information from learn_icelandic because it doesn't use tags. I only looked at the entries with descriptive titles.
Pronunciation
alphabet, rules of the written language and general pronounciation rules
A pronounciation guide for the Icelandic alphabet.
Genkobar: After a short contemplation it seems that if the g is preceded by a vowel and followed by a j the g softens up. This can be witnessed in other words, like in the verbs "að segja" (to say), "að fleygja" (to throw), "að teygja" (to stretch), "að þegja" (to shut up [oneself], to be silent), "að beygja" (to turn).
However, if the g is preceded by a consonant, the g becomes 'hard', like in the words "bylgja" (wave) and "að fylgja" (to escort).
Theloa: Ah "au" and a soft "g". Not the easiest letters to explain (au and ei are often thought of as single letters). "Au" is really a combination of two other vowels; "ö" and "í". "Ö" is pronounced like the "u" in under or the "e" in jerk and "í" like the "ee" in deep. Try putting them together with emphasis on the first vowel.
The þ/ð question: "Þ" is pronounced like the "th" in thing and three - you were right. Also while the "ð" sometimes gets dropped that's just sloppy talking - try to pronounce it when you can. As for the inhale - while people sometimes speak like that - myself included - it's more for emphasis and not limited to a single letter. Used to be mainly used by women but more and more men are adopting it. You shouldn't have to think about it - especially when you're singing.
Soft g - it's not silent. I'm not sure there is a corresponding sound in English. It's kind of like the German "ch" but softer.
The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in army. I'm not sure my Icelandic ear detects much difference between the "a" in attic and father.
Var and hann - yes the "a" in the second word is shorter because of the double consonant - this applies to most doubling of consonants.
nashiitashii: I noticed with my Icelandic relatives that, although the "ð" is pronounced, it's very soft to the point where you have to listen a little carefully to hear it. (Well, a native English speaker with no prior exposure to Icelandic would, from my experience.)
atomicphrea: This is how I (learning Icelandic) would pronounce these words/phrases:
augun = ay-un
að við hefðum = ath vith ehfthum
var hann - vahr hann (the same sound a)
Two tips:
+ Don't forget to ALWAYS roll your Rs
+ If you have a vowel at the end of a word and the start of the next, more often than not they roll into each other. For example, 'bara ekki' would not be said as such, but as 'barekki'
Ekilon: þ is a soft (unvoiced) th - as in teeth or thank
ð is a hard (voiced) th - that or father
'voiced' means that you use your vocal cords to say the sound - 'unvoiced' is the opposite.
If you compare the 'th's in teeth and that, you'll notice the voicing and lack thereof.
Grammar
Declension chart The strong and weak declensions of six nouns as well as the adjective ríkur, and the declension of minn.
Verbs Charts + explanations
Verb Conjugation Chart
að dvelja, hrekja, gefa, reka
Past participles
Case examples
Understanding cases in relation to English
Definite articles
Prefixes and suffixes
"The (adjective) noun" structure
Compound words
Til versus að
Q.) 1. Are there any rules determining which strong masculine nouns take -i in the dative singular and which have no ending? My dictionary gives the genitive singular and nominative plural forms, but it doesn't give dative forms. And I have no idea when there should be an -i and when there shouldn't.
A.) schnee: Regarding the first question, my Icelandic teacher mentioned the following rule of thumb: when there's more than one consonant at the end of the root, then the word takes an -i; if not, it doesn't. So for example, strákur becomes strák (because there's just the k), and garður becomes garði (becomes there's two consonants: r and ð).
She also said that this doesn't *always* work, but it still is a good rule of thumb nonetheless. :)
Q.)For weak masculine nouns like heili, is the definite singular dative form heilanum or heilunum? Are there are instances where the a ---> ö rule does not apply? Also, when does an a change to an ö and when does it change to an u?
A.) createlisten: heilanum - singular.
heilunum - plural.
the a shift is a strange part of icelandic and really, it just comes from learning the way the language sounds. a changes most often to ö when it is in the middle of a word that ends with a. in other words: conjugate anna. it would become önnu. etc.
Words/Phrases
Go get a haircut! - Farðu í klippingu!
Vantage point - Kögunarhóll
Phoenix - Fönix, (sometimes) Eldfuglinn
Divorce = skilnaður.
get away with something - komast upp með eitthvað
will do something - koma til með að gera eitthvað
Timeline - Tímalína
Bagpipe player - sekkjapípuleikari
couple semblence - hjóna svip (a couple looks right together)
Perfume = ilmvatn
Cologne = rakspíri
einu í einu = one at a time
The 'right' term for breaking up is 'sambandsslit' (literally: relationship ending) but in day to day conversations it's 'að hætta saman' or 'to quit (being) together'.
Meme with vocab
Eftir, fyrir, aftur usage
Pronunciation
alphabet, rules of the written language and general pronounciation rules
A pronounciation guide for the Icelandic alphabet.
Genkobar: After a short contemplation it seems that if the g is preceded by a vowel and followed by a j the g softens up. This can be witnessed in other words, like in the verbs "að segja" (to say), "að fleygja" (to throw), "að teygja" (to stretch), "að þegja" (to shut up [oneself], to be silent), "að beygja" (to turn).
However, if the g is preceded by a consonant, the g becomes 'hard', like in the words "bylgja" (wave) and "að fylgja" (to escort).
Theloa: Ah "au" and a soft "g". Not the easiest letters to explain (au and ei are often thought of as single letters). "Au" is really a combination of two other vowels; "ö" and "í". "Ö" is pronounced like the "u" in under or the "e" in jerk and "í" like the "ee" in deep. Try putting them together with emphasis on the first vowel.
The þ/ð question: "Þ" is pronounced like the "th" in thing and three - you were right. Also while the "ð" sometimes gets dropped that's just sloppy talking - try to pronounce it when you can. As for the inhale - while people sometimes speak like that - myself included - it's more for emphasis and not limited to a single letter. Used to be mainly used by women but more and more men are adopting it. You shouldn't have to think about it - especially when you're singing.
Soft g - it's not silent. I'm not sure there is a corresponding sound in English. It's kind of like the German "ch" but softer.
The "a" is pronounced like the "a" in army. I'm not sure my Icelandic ear detects much difference between the "a" in attic and father.
Var and hann - yes the "a" in the second word is shorter because of the double consonant - this applies to most doubling of consonants.
nashiitashii: I noticed with my Icelandic relatives that, although the "ð" is pronounced, it's very soft to the point where you have to listen a little carefully to hear it. (Well, a native English speaker with no prior exposure to Icelandic would, from my experience.)
atomicphrea: This is how I (learning Icelandic) would pronounce these words/phrases:
augun = ay-un
að við hefðum = ath vith ehfthum
var hann - vahr hann (the same sound a)
Two tips:
+ Don't forget to ALWAYS roll your Rs
+ If you have a vowel at the end of a word and the start of the next, more often than not they roll into each other. For example, 'bara ekki' would not be said as such, but as 'barekki'
Ekilon: þ is a soft (unvoiced) th - as in teeth or thank
ð is a hard (voiced) th - that or father
'voiced' means that you use your vocal cords to say the sound - 'unvoiced' is the opposite.
If you compare the 'th's in teeth and that, you'll notice the voicing and lack thereof.
Grammar
Declension chart The strong and weak declensions of six nouns as well as the adjective ríkur, and the declension of minn.
Verbs Charts + explanations
Verb Conjugation Chart
að dvelja, hrekja, gefa, reka
Past participles
Case examples
Understanding cases in relation to English
Definite articles
Prefixes and suffixes
"The (adjective) noun" structure
Compound words
Til versus að
Q.) 1. Are there any rules determining which strong masculine nouns take -i in the dative singular and which have no ending? My dictionary gives the genitive singular and nominative plural forms, but it doesn't give dative forms. And I have no idea when there should be an -i and when there shouldn't.
A.) schnee: Regarding the first question, my Icelandic teacher mentioned the following rule of thumb: when there's more than one consonant at the end of the root, then the word takes an -i; if not, it doesn't. So for example, strákur becomes strák (because there's just the k), and garður becomes garði (becomes there's two consonants: r and ð).
She also said that this doesn't *always* work, but it still is a good rule of thumb nonetheless. :)
Q.)For weak masculine nouns like heili, is the definite singular dative form heilanum or heilunum? Are there are instances where the a ---> ö rule does not apply? Also, when does an a change to an ö and when does it change to an u?
A.) createlisten: heilanum - singular.
heilunum - plural.
the a shift is a strange part of icelandic and really, it just comes from learning the way the language sounds. a changes most often to ö when it is in the middle of a word that ends with a. in other words: conjugate anna. it would become önnu. etc.
Words/Phrases
Go get a haircut! - Farðu í klippingu!
Vantage point - Kögunarhóll
Phoenix - Fönix, (sometimes) Eldfuglinn
Divorce = skilnaður.
get away with something - komast upp með eitthvað
will do something - koma til með að gera eitthvað
Timeline - Tímalína
Bagpipe player - sekkjapípuleikari
couple semblence - hjóna svip (a couple looks right together)
Perfume = ilmvatn
Cologne = rakspíri
einu í einu = one at a time
The 'right' term for breaking up is 'sambandsslit' (literally: relationship ending) but in day to day conversations it's 'að hætta saman' or 'to quit (being) together'.
Meme with vocab
Eftir, fyrir, aftur usage