Teach me Norwegian

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Last night I met a goddess who decended from the heavens for a visit with us mere mortals on Earth. Her name is Karen (Pronounced Kah-ggghhhen - that's a gutteral sound). She is from Norway and of half-Norwegian, half Irish-American decent. She's the perfect Aryan girl: blonde, white, blue-eyed. She's a model and probably the prettiest girl I've ever laid eyes on. We talked and danced for an hour last night at a crowded party, and I got her number.

This is where you guys come in: Teach me Norwegian. Not like a full-load thing or anything, just some words and phrases that would impress/be helpful in conversation. She taught me a toast (something about not being above or below but equal) after I taught her one in Gaelic. Things like that would be cool, but anything that any of you know would be a great deal of help.

[Az]

. Her name is Karen (Pronounced Kah-ggghhhen

[The Emperor Fabulous]

It sounds like rolling the tongue but I can't do it, so it comes out kinda gross.

Her name could put a hold damper on our relationship

[Asmodean]

What version of norwegian is she speaking? norsk or ny-norsk? (norwegian or new-norwegian)

Asmodean

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Uh...no clue. How are they different?

[Asmodean]

To answer that, a crash course in norwegian history is needed. From the late middle ages, and until 1814, Norway was owned by Denmark. Then from 1814 until the early 20th century (i have forgotten the exact year) by Sweden. Only then did they become independent.

As a result of that, norwegian is a mix of swedish and danish (nigh on danish spelling - nigh on swedish pronounciation). Therefore ny-norsk was created, as a nationalistic move towards further independence. Ny-norsk is quite different from norwegian. Many words are the same, but then again a lot of words differ greatly in spelling and pronounciation.

Our norwegian posters can be more exact, of course, but as I understand it, the differences are quite large.

Asmodean

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Well thanks for that. It's certainly a good question that I can ask her.

C'mon, someone out there must know some Norwegian!

[Sava]

here is a phrase that will get you far:

Vess du fan ikke kan oppfør dæ årntli så ska æ stapp høue ditt opp i ræva di, så kan du sett dær, aleina i mørtna, å prat mannskit me dæ sjøl.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

meaning?

And pronunciation help would be great as well

[Asmodean]

That's actually quite funny, Sava. Where did you find that.

@ TEF: Don't even think of trying to say that to her, if you want to continue seeing her.

Asmodean

[The Emperor Fabulous]

I figured as much, given the source

[Sava]

That's actually quite funny, Sava. Where did you find that.

I have my sources.

[Asmodean]

Free translation: If you can't f***in' behave, then I'll stick your BS so far up your ass, that you'll have to sit there, alone in the dark, and talk BS with yourself.

Asmodean

[Winston]

If you want to win the eternal friendship of a Norwegian, you only need one simple phrase: Heia Norge!, shouted at the top of your lungs every time Norway or anything remotely connected is mentioned, especially if it's sports related.

And at all times, compliment the beauty of their flag.

Independence was 100 years ago, in 1905 btw. Good thing to remember come May 17...

[Zoid]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other...orwegian.shtml has some norwegian phrases with audio.

Same with http://www.travelblog.org/World/norwegian-audio.html

And If you want to be more ambitious this site has loads of words and phrases and their pronunciation. http://www.sofn.com/norwegianculture/languagelessons/