Ivar Andreas Aasen systematically synthesized the diverse vernacular dialects of nineteenth-century Norway into a unified written standard. Born in the Ørsta Municipality, he transitioned from a self-taught farm worker into a philologist of national significance, securing the financial support of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters to conduct his extensive linguistic fieldwork across the country.
Early Development and Research
Raised in a small-scale farming family, Aasen cultivated interests in both botany and philology during his youth. After receiving tutoring in Latin from Hans Conrad Thoresen, he began studying language structures scientifically. His move to Bergen in 1841 proved pivotal, as Bishop Jacob Neumann brought his early findings to public attention. This exposure facilitated a grant from the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters, providing the financial stability required for his comprehensive research into Norwegian dialects.
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Aasen published his first monograph, a collection of folk songs, in 1843. Following years of field study, he released Grammar of the Norwegian Dialects in 1848, followed by his Dictionary of the Norwegian Dialects in 1850. By 1853, he had established the framework for a new written language, which he termed Landsmål. This project sought to create a standardized form of the people's language, distinct from the prevailing Danish influence of the time.
Literary Contributions and Legacy
To demonstrate the versatility of Landsmål, Aasen authored poetry, essays, and plays, including the popular 1855 drama The Heir. His academic output culminated in the 1864 Norsk Grammatik and the 1873 Norsk Ordbog. Following his death in Christiania in 1896, his work evolved into what is now known as Nynorsk, one of Norway's two official languages. The Ivar Aasen-tunet institution, opened in 2000, now serves as the primary repository for his research and historical texts.
Fast facts
- Born: 1813, Ørsta Municipality
- Died: 1896, Christiania
- Primary Field: Philology and lexicography
- Language Created: Nynorsk (formerly Landsmål)
- Membership: Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters
- Burial Site: Vår Frelsers gravlund
- Notable Work: Dictionary of the Norwegian Dialects (1850)
Questions readers ask
What is the relationship between Landsmål and Nynorsk?
Landsmål was the original term used by Aasen for the language he constructed; it was renamed Nynorsk following his death.
How did Aasen conduct his research?
He performed extensive fieldwork across major Norwegian dialects, supported by an annual stipend from the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters.
Achievements
- Worked as philologist, lexicographer and linguist
