Icelandic language

Member of the northern Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family, spoken only in Iceland and the most conservative in form of the Scandinavian languages. Despite seven centuries of Danish rule, lasting until 1918, Icelandic has remained virtually unchanged since the 12th century.

Since independence in 1918, Icelandic has experienced a revival, as well as governmental protection against such outside linguistic influences as English-language broadcasting. Early Icelandic literature is largely anonymous and seems to have originated in Norse colonies in the British Isles (around 9th-10th centuries). The two Eddas and several Sagas date from this period. Halldor Laxness, writing about Icelandic life in the style of the Sagas, was awarded a Nobel Prize 1955.