Bokmål or Nynorsk
The two written standards differ visibly. The document itself shows which standard is used.
North Germanic language
Have Norwegian translated
norsk
Norwegian is part of Parviz Abbasov's personal language repertoire. For written documents, it is also necessary to establish whether Bokmål or Nynorsk is used.
Norwegian is spoken by around five million people. It has two officially used written standards.
Geographical distribution of Norwegian
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
Norway
Sweden
Denmark
A schematic selection of the main areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders, and the map does not show complete population statistics.
Language profile
Norwegian at a glance
- Native name
- norsk
- Language family
- North Germanic language
- Script
- Latin alphabet; distinguish between Bokmål and Nynorsk
- Language code
- no
Documents and areas of use
Common uses for this language combination
It is not just about the language. ABBA-Sprachendienste also takes into account the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and the language combination you need.
Have your document checked- Employment and business contracts
- School and university records
- Civil-status documents
- Technical and maritime specialist texts
- Public-authority and insurance documents
Origin and development
How the language developed
Norwegian is a North Germanic language. Its long political association with Denmark strongly influenced the written language and provided the basis for modern Bokmål.
In the 19th century, Ivar Aasen developed Nynorsk on the basis of Norwegian dialects. Both written standards are officially recognised today, while spoken dialects enjoy an unusually high level of acceptance in everyday life.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Dialects are standard in everyday use
Norwegian dialects are also spoken in formal situations; regional experience is helpful when interpreting.
Personal language expertise
Parviz Abbasov speaks Norwegian and can personally review and coordinate enquiries.
A glimpse of the language
Three phrases to start with
The transliteration is only a rough guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may differ.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| God dag | — | Good day |
| Takk | — | Thank you |
| Vær så snill | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide figures and may vary depending on the definition, the year of the survey and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Norwegian language
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources as of 14 July 2026. The information will be cross-checked by subject experts before the website goes live.
Norwegian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Norwegian
Can I have Norwegian translated into German and German into Norwegian?
You can request either direction. We give a binding commitment once we have checked the document type, subject area, certification, appointment and intended use.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Norwegian?
Employment and business contracts, school and university records, civil-status certificates, and technical and maritime specialist texts are typical examples. Other types of document can also be assessed using a clear photograph or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check for Norwegian?
We check the language pair, document type, Latin alphabet and whether Bokmål or Nynorsk is used, as well as names, stamps, subject area, intended use and whether a certified translation may be required.
Do I need a certified translation of my Norwegian document?
That is decided by the authority, court or notary receiving the document, or by whichever other office has requested it. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted, so that your requirements can be assessed properly.
Is a photo enough for the initial check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually enough for us to check your request and prepare a quote. Depending on the job, the original may also be needed later, when the work is carried out.
Ask us to review your Norwegian ↔ German requirements
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally check the language combination, document, intended use and whether certification is needed.
