Faroese Alphabet

The Faroese alphabet has 29 letters: A, Á, B, D, Ð, E, F, G, H, I, Í, J, K, L, M, N, O, Ó, P, R, S, T, U, Ú, V, Y, Ý, Æ, Ø.

The letter ð (eth) is special to Nordic languages:

• Pronounced like "th" in "this"

• Also found in Icelandic and Old English

• Used in words like "góður" (good)

• A remnant of Old Norse writing

Faroese has unique features:

• Most conservative pronunciation of Nordic languages

• Uses ð (eth), which Danish and Norwegian lost

• Complex vowel system with 29 distinct vowel sounds

• Preserves more Old Norse features than other Nordic languages

Faroese is spoken primarily in the Faroe Islands:

• Faroe Islands - about 48,000 speakers

• Denmark - about 18,000 speakers

• Total of approximately 66,000 native speakers

• Official language of the Faroe Islands alongside Danish

Accent marks in Faroese indicate long vowels:

• á, í, ó, ú, ý - all represent long vowel sounds

• Change the meaning of words

• Example: "ar" vs "ár" (year)

• Essential for correct pronunciation and meaning

Yes! Faroese and Icelandic are closely related:

• Both descended from Old Norse

• Share letters like ð (eth) and þ (thorn, in Icelandic)

• Speakers can understand each other with some effort

• Both preserve features lost in mainland Scandinavian languages