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Celebrate and Honor the Icelandic Language

Updated: Jul 26, 2021



Jónas Hallgrímsson

Jónas Hallgrímsson

November 16th is Icelandic Language Day / Day of the Icelandic Tongue /Dagur Íslenskrar Tungu.

This is also the birthday of Iceland's National poet, author, and scientist, Jónas Hallgrímsson (1807-1845). He wrote many of Iceland's most beloved poems about the country and the people.


Steeple Rock in Öxnadalur

Steeple Rock in Öxnadalur

My common ancestors with Jónas are his great grandparents and my 5th great grandparents from the beautiful Öxnadalur in Eyjafjörður of northern Iceland.

One poem with the English translation:

Hillocks steep and stately stride across the valley. Dimly and sedately dawn begins to rally: sunlight rakes the summits — smoking darkness plummets down into the deep dreaming its green sleep.

Icelandic:

Þar sem háir hólar hálfan dalinn fylla, þar sem hamrahilla hlær við skini sólar árla fyrir óttu enn þá meðan nóttu grundin góða ber græn í faðmi sér. . . .

For more poems and information: Jónas Hallgrímsson in English


Email us your questions or join the conversation on our Facebook Group.

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The Icelandic Roots Community is a non-profit, educational heritage organization specializing in the genealogy, history, culture, and traditions of our Icelandic ancestors. We provide seminars, webinars, blogs, podcasts, workshops, social media, Samtal Hours, Book Club, New Member Training, a dedicated Icelandic Genealogy Database with live help for you, and much more. Our mailing address is in Fargo, ND but our volunteers and our philanthropy is spread across Canada, Iceland, and the USA. See our heritage grants and scholarships pages for more information and how to apply for a grant or scholarship.

Icelandic Roots
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