Now researchers say they have uncovered groundbreaking information about the roots of Elfdalian that they hope could bolster its standing and help it acquire official recognition as a minority language.
Elfdalian is traditionally spoken in a small area, known as Älvdalen in Swedish and Övdaln in Elfdalian, which is part of the region of Dalarna. But using linguistic and archeological data including runes, Elfdalian experts have tracked the language back to the last phase of ancient Nordic - spoken across Scandinavia between the sixth and eighth centuries.
They believe it was imported to hunter-gatherers in the Swedish region of Dalarna from farmers based in the region of Uppland, which became an international base for trade, who started adopting the language. At the time, the hunter-gatherers of Dalarna spoke a language referred to by linguists as "paleo north Scandinavian".
Denne historien er fra November 04, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 04, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Money hacks Annuities are back in vogue - here's how to get best value
'The stability of a guaranteed income gives retirees peace of mind their money won't run out, even if they live past 100'
The Filter Slow cookers for easy and low-cost cooking
Coming home to a warm meal made with very little effort - is a real treat in the cold and dark months.
Lifetime Isas Is popular savings scheme no longer fit for purpose?
It appears to be proving a hit with millennials and generation Z but has also come under fire for the \"unfair\" sting in its tail.
Mega-trial £2.1bn fight over planes stranded in Russia
Sitting in a nondescript building near the high court in Dublin, about 40 cloaked barristers have gathered almost daily since June last year.
Tax returns Expert tips on getting self-assessment right
With the online deadline just days away, Rupert Jones asks for advice on avoiding the pitfalls and making the most of what you can claim
Earls Court Plans for £10bn renewal await green light
On a damp winter's day, there are few signs of activity on the huge, empty triangle of land in west London that was once home to the Earls Court exhibition centre with its distinctive art deco facade.
Zuckerberg 'let Meta train AI models on pirated books'
Mark Zuckerberg approved Meta's use of \"pirated\" versions of copyright-protected books to train the company's artificial intelligence models, a group of authors has alleged in a US court filing.
Tax changes will inflate food prices, says Sainsbury's chief
Changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the government's October budget will drive inflation, particularly on fresh food, according to the chief executive of Sainsbury's as he announced a 5% pay rise for workers.
Strikes every Sunday until May to disrupt Avanti services
Passengers have been warned of disruption to Avanti West Coast rail services every Sunday from tomorrow until the end of May.
Sand grab On the frontline of the battle for shade on Australia's best beach spots
Emerging from the water at Victoria's Safety Beach, Virginia Mamakis settles on the sand under her family's orange-striped cabana.
