Norwegian Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia and is one of the most popular websites globally. Among its numerous language editions is the Norwegian Wikipedia, which serves as an essential resource for speakers of the Norwegian language. This platform is unique because it encompasses two distinct Norwegian language editions, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Norway.
Language Editions
Bokmål/Riksmål
The Bokmål (or Riksmål) edition of Norwegian Wikipedia is the more predominant of the two. It originated on 26 November 2001 and has grown significantly over the years. Initially, the Bokmål site allowed articles in various written standards of Norwegian, but it gradually became predominantly Bokmål/Riksmål. This edition surpassed the Finnish Wikipedia in size by September 2007, and it continues to be a rich source of information, housing over 260,000 articles as of mid-2010.
Nynorsk
The Nynorsk edition caters to speakers of Norway's other official written standard. Though smaller than its Bokmål counterpart, with over 57,000 articles as of June 2010, it remains a vibrant part of the linguistic heritage of Norway.
Linguistic Context
Norwegian shares mutual intelligibility with Danish and Swedish, which facilitates cross-cultural and cross-linguistic collaboration. This unique relationship extends to the Wikipedia platforms in these languages, allowing for the exchange of featured articles among the Norwegian, Danish Wikipedia, and Swedish Wikipedia editions.
Cultural and Educational Impact
The impact of Norwegian Wikipedia extends beyond mere access to information. It serves as a cultural repository and a tool for education, promoting knowledge sharing within Norway and the broader Norwegian-speaking community. It also engages in open collaboration, with contributions from volunteers, known as Wikipedians, enhancing the platform’s depth and breadth.
Technical Considerations
In terms of technical identifiers, the ISO 639 code for Bokmål is "nb," yet the main URL for the Bokmål/Riksmål edition remains at "no.wikipedia.org." This reflects a broader inclusivity in its approach to Norwegian language representation online.