Understanding the Differences Between Bokmål and Nynorsk, Norway's Two Official Languages

Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk) are the two official languages of Norway. They are both Germanic languages, closely related to Swedish and Danish.

Bokmål is the more widely spoken of the two, used by about 85% of the population. It is based on the Danish language and is written with a more standardized spelling system.

Nynorsk is spoken by about 10% of the population, mostly in the western part of the country. It is based on the rural dialects of Norway and has a more simplified grammar system.

Both languages are used in government, education, media and other official contexts. However, in informal situations, Norwegian people tend to switch between the two languages depending on their location and social context.