there are two Norwegian languages? Why, and which one is the main one?
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Norwegian has two written standards, Bokmål and Nynorsk, which are both recognized as official languages in Norway.
Bokmål, meaning “book language”, is based on the Danish language and is the most widely used written language in Norway. It is used by around 85-90% of the population and is the standard language of business, government, and education in Norway.
Nynorsk, meaning “new Norwegian”, is a written standard based on Norwegian dialects and was created in the 19th century as a way to promote a distinct Norwegian identity separate from Danish influence. It is used by around 10-15% of the population and is more prevalent in rural areas and in western and central Norway.
Both Bokmål and Nynorsk are considered equal in status and are used in official documents, government publications, and in education. Norwegian speakers are generally able to understand both written standards, although there are some differences in vocabulary, grammar, and spelling.
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