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
Schematic selection of key areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders; the map is not a comprehensive population statistic.
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 uses
Common uses for this language combination
The language alone is not decisive. ABBA-Sprachendienste also considers the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and requested language direction.
Request a document review- 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 brief introduction to the language
Three introductory expressions
The transliteration is intended only as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| God dag | — | Good day |
| Takk | — | Thank you |
| Vær så snill | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded estimates and may vary depending on the definition, survey year 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 current as at 14 July 2026. The information will undergo a specialist review before the production launch.
Norwegian FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Norwegian
Can I have Norwegian translated into German and German into Norwegian?
Both directions can be requested. Binding confirmation is provided after the document type, subject area, certification requirements, appointment and intended use have been assessed.
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?
The receiving authority, court, notary or other requesting body decides this. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted so that the requirements can be assessed appropriately.
Is a photo sufficient for the initial review?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually sufficient for an initial quotation review. Depending on the assignment, the original may also be required later.
Ask us to review your Norwegian ↔ German requirements
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally assess the language direction, document, intended use and certification requirements.
