Germanic Language tree with languages spoken in the British Isles (such as Norn and Scots, which are usually left out) are highlighted red
(Source: facebook.com)
05
09
09
04
26
26
THE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS | Tha Engliscan Gesithas
Ale,Beer,Mead,Wine,Cider.
Photo: http://www.steveonsteins.com/in-the-near-future-2
04
12
12
This is Älvdalsmål/Älvdaliska. Sweden has a few “dialects” that are more or less languages unto themselves, more or less untouched by “standard Swedish” they developed more directly from Norse. In this case they even used Dalecarlian Runes as a writing system as late as 19 century.
These languages are called “Mål” (as in “Mal” in Havamal = Speech)
The linguistic definition of a Swedish traditional dialect, in the literature merely called dialect, is a local variant that has not been heavily influenced by the standard language and that can trace a separate development all the way back to Old Norse. Many of the genuine rural dialects have very distinct phonetic and grammatical features, such as plural forms of verbs or archaic caseinflections. These dialects can be near-incomprehensible to a majority of Swedes, and most of their speakers are also fluent in Standard Swedish. The different dialects are often so localized that they are limited to individual parishes and are referred to by Swedish linguists as sockenmål (lit. “parish speech”).
Elfdalian or Övdalian (Övdalsk or Övdalską in Elfdalian, Älvdalska or Älvdalsmål in Swedish) is a linguistic variety of the Scandinavian language branch spoken in the old parish of Övdaln, which is located in the south-eastern part of Älvdalen Municipality in Northern Dalarna, Sweden.
Traditionally regarded as a Swedish dialect, Elfdalian is today regarded by several linguists as a separate language. As some other Dalecarlianvernaculars spoken north of the Lake Siljan, Elfdalian retains numerous old grammatical and phonological features that have not changed considerably since Old Norse and is considered to be the most conservative and best preserved vernacular within the Dalecarlian branch. Having developed in relative isolation since the Middle Ages, quite a few linguistic innovations are also present in the language.
Elfdalian has around 3,000 speakers and its existence is severely threatened. However, it is possible that it will receive an official status as a minority language in Sweden, which would entail numerous protections and encourage its use in schools and by writers and artists. The Swedish Parliament was due to address this issue in 2007, but apparently has not yet done so. The European Council has urged the Swedish government to reconsider the status of Elfdalian/Övdalian on four different occasions, most recently in October 2011. The Committee of Experts now encourages the Swedish authorities to investigate the status of Övdalian through an independent scientific study.
Writing systemLatin (Elfdalian alphabet),Dalecarlian runes (until the 20th century)
07
31
31
Anglo-Saxon clothes – women
5th to 7th centuries
Women wore an under-dress of linen or wool with long and a draw-string neck. Sleeves were fastened with clasps for wealthier women, or drawn together with braid or string for poorer women.
07
09
09
Forn Sed – The Fennoscandic Perspective
Perhaps one thing i can observe in Scandinavian Forn Sed (exept for the temporal, non emphasis on the “Viking Age”) is a perspective that is more Fennoscandic.
To a Swede it is only natural that both Finnish and Sámi influences are very present in our language and culture since long back.
Sami people worshipping Horagalles or Tiermes. Copper engraving by Bernard Picart from Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde(1723–43)
All i am really trying to say is that this separateness of the Norse people that seems to be a picture held by some outside of Scandinavia is usually not the one held by Scandinavians or Nordic people, neither is it shared by scholars.
The Norse people, as far as evidence goes, seems to have been anything BUT separate.
The Norse, Finns and Sámi and their influences on eachother.
06
10
10
The Rise of Óðrœrir
The Rise of Óðrœrir: A new journal of interest to Pagans, particularly Heathen reconstructionists, has just launched. “Óðrœrir” is “a fully downloadable journal dedicated to developing, fostering, and distributing scholastic literature solely regarding the reconstruction of the various pre-Christian religious traditions and cultures of Northern Europe.”
“It is our firm belief that while much of these traditions are completely viable in a modern setting, understanding and implementing them must be achieved through a thorough understanding of their original context. We also believe that there is too much literature available that falls very short of this mark. Thus,Óðrœrir is intended to serve as a bastion of literature that is evidence based and consistent with modern standards of academic accuracy and quality. Articles are peer reviewed by a board ranging of individuals with over forty years of experience in reconstructing “heathen” traditions, to scholars who are currently leaders in the fields of Old Nordic Religion, and Old Nordic Culture. It is our hope that with these high standards, and with the range of experience that exists on our board, that Óðrœrir will be able to bridge the gap between scholastic wisdom of ancient heathen traditions and the implementation and practice of ongoing ones today.”
The first issue is available for download now, featuring articles on the state of modern Heathenry, reconstructionism in modern Heathenry, Frankish Heathenry and more. You can also network with the creators at the journal’s Facebook page.
(Source: patheos.com)
06
07
07
Are these critters really of the same custom as i???
To me that is an insult.
To me that is like acknowledging that heathen (or pagan) really means “Hick” or “yokl”.
I am always surprised and get kind of a LARP vibe when i read things like “our folk ways”.
Their “indignation” dumbs my customs down. They really have more in common with snake handling Christians (not to be Christian bashing ) than anything that feels “Norse”.
These people belong in a heavy metal video.
I am straight but i am also educated and my mother is not married to her brother.
I belive in active studies (of academic material), a living custom through folklore and adapting to modern society while reconstructing.
In short, i am a modern Scandinavian, NOT some “Viking warrior” with a need to preserve my “folk” (“they”, regardless of how you count, seem to be doing just fine).
I am simply a person doing my best to live according to a custom such as it presents itself through academia, scientific disciplines (history, archeology, anthropology, linguistics,etymology, semiotics and so on ) ,my own culture and folklore and some philosophical and theological speculation on my own part.
Some of them are Scandinavian. I´m willing to bet they stay clear of blóts of a more mainstream (in lack of a better term) nature.
They would be verbally (at least) and intellectually bitch slapped by pretty much any follower of the custom i´ve known.
The only threat i see to Norse culture and heritage are these circus clowns.
How can anyone take heathenry seriously with these around?
06
03
03
“Brännvin” - Etymology
The term “Brandy” (from Dutch ”Brandewijn = Burnt wine ) can be found in Swedish as “Brännvin” (though it is another product. Brännvin is not a grape or fruit distillate as oposed to Brandy ).
Cognates are the German “Branntwein” and the Icelandic “Brennivín”, both meaning “burnt wine”.
In modern Swedish the term “Brännvin” should according to grammar mean “Burn wine” rather than “Burnt wine”.
It is simply a matter of linguistic history (after all it would be wrong in that it is not wine that is burnt / distilled either ).
Just wanted to make clear that i actually DO check sources even if i do paste articles from Wikipedia.
Original article: http://fornsed.tumblr.com/post/3960523682/brannvin-is-a-swedish-word-for-liquor-distilled
03
21
21
If you´re only gonna learn one expression in Swedish, “Fika” is it.
Fika is an almost ritualized coffe break.
There is ALWAYS an excuse for one.
It can be with or without pastry, at a Café or outdoors.
Swedes and Finns are among the most coffee consuming people in the world (and thats a good thing).
Pron: Fee-Kah
03
12
12
