Iceland: Horseback tours in saga land

by W. S. C. Russell

The consonants have practically the same values as in English except the following, which should be noted:—

f before L or N has the sound of B, thus,—

Krafla is pronounced as if spelled Krabla.

Hrafn, (raven,) is pronounced as if spelled Hrabn.

h is given its breathing sound.

h before VI has the sound of Q, thus,—

Hvitá is pronounced as if spelled Quee-tow, O like O in cow.

ll when L is doubled the first L has the sound of T, thus, fell is pronounced fetl.

ð is sounded like TH in thin.

There is a tendency among the uneducated people to lisp or to smother their words behind closed lips. When spoken by an educated person the language is musical and pleasing.