Why is Greece Always Called by Internal Name Endonym Hellas in Norwegian?
The use of different names for countries across languages can often reflect historical, cultural, and political influences. This article explores why Norway, among European countries, prefers the endonym 'Hellas' for Greece, rather than the commonly used Latin-derived name.
Historical Context
The choice of the name Hellas for Greece in Norwegian is rooted in a broader historical and linguistic context. Historically, Norway was part of the Danish-Norwegian union from 1814 until 1905. During this period, Norwegian was heavily influenced by Danish, leading to a strong desire for linguistic independence after independence.
In 1850, the Norwegian language began to be standardized, leading to the development of Bokm?l as a new standard written language. The government implemented policies to promote the use of Norwegian over Danish. This included changes in geographical names to reflect Norwegian rather than Danish or other foreign origins.
Linguistic Influence
Norwegian, like other Germanic languages, has been influenced by various historical contacts with Greek culture, especially during the Renaissance. This interaction influenced the adoption of certain Greek terms and concepts, demonstrating a deep-seated cultural appreciation for Hellenistic studies.
However, the name adoption of 'Hellas' for 'Greece' in Norwegian is a unique choice. While other European languages derive the name for Greece from the Latin root 'Graecus', predominantly Germanic tongues like Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, and Dutch, use names that are closer to the Greek original 'Greece'. This is not the case for Norwegian, where the name 'Grekenland' was used before the adoption of 'Hellas'.
Contrast with Latin Influence
The choice of 'Hellas' over 'Greece' in Norwegian is even more noteworthy when considering that other countries with non-Indo-European languages also use terms derived from Latin. In Finnish and Hungarian, for example, the names for Greece are 'Kreikka' and 'Grg', respectively, which are also derived from Latin.
Moreover, while 'Grekenland' was the term used in Norwegian until the late 1940s, the name 'Hellas' was adopted for formal and official use. This change reflects a deliberate effort to align with traditional linguistic policies that emphasize the use of native terms.
Cultural Identity
Adopting Hellas as the name for Greece in Norwegian reflects a strong cultural identity and a desire to connect with ancient Greek heritage. This aligns with the broader Finnish and Hungarian practices of using names that are closer to the original Greek terms.
It's also interesting to note that in other cultural contexts, such as the naming of the Netherlands, Norway uses a similar adaptation. The name 'Nederland' in Norwegian is identical to the Dutch, while 'Holland' is used in Danish in a more formal context.
Overall the Choice of Hellas
The decision to adopt 'Hellas' for 'Greece' in Norwegian was part of a larger movement to promote linguistic independence and cultural heritage. This name choice underscores the importance of words and language in defining a distinct national identity.
While 'Hellas' is now the official name for Greece in Norwegian, the use of 'gresk' as an adjective and 'greker' as a noun remains common, indicating a blend of traditional and modern linguistic practices.
The historical and linguistic journey of Norwegian names, including the choice of 'Hellas' for 'Greece', provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of languages and the complex interplay between history, culture, and national identity.