#elfdalian

There are two types of words for 9 in the Germanic languages. Type 1 is g-less: there's German neun, Swedish nio, and Icelandic níu among others. Type 2 does have a g, as in Dutch negen, West Frisian njoggen, and Low Saxon negene. You'd think that English nine is type 1, but it used to have a g too: in Old English, it was nigon. It lost its g in Middle English. So did neun, nio and níu lost their g too? No, they've never had one. The g only evolved in the north-western branch of West Germanic. Words from other Indo-European branches, such as Latin novem, lack a g too. My new graphic tells you all about it.

A small town in Sweden fights to preserve the Elfdalian language

The runes of Älvdalen -- dalrunerne -- are reminiscent of those used on runes stones in Denmark but there are a number of differences.  Dalrunerne developed over time, influenced partially by the Latin alphabet.

Better yet, Elfdalian runes were still used until 1929.

Black as a forest lake Above the water the moon hangs I am waiting for a whole new life I am waiting And the heart yearns for the light.

trai | wood iemat | home av | sea syta | to guard suolniðgaungg | sunset stimba | fog, evening fog glyöða | to glow kelingg | wife