Linguistics & Language Use
The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies engages in research on language technology, lexicology and language use and onomastics. The institute also serves as a point of contact on linguistic matters with the aim to enrich knowledge of the Icelandic language and promote its usage and preservation.
Lexicons, Word Usage & Historical Data
The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies possesses extensive collections of Icelandic lexicons, including proper nouns. In support of its charge to disseminate information on the Icelandic language, the institute has released print and online editions of several monolingual and bilingual dictionaries, often compiled as a joint effort with other relevant parties. The institute also maintains a number of extensive text corpora, which are applicable to a variety of language technology projects. In addition, the institute operates a range of databases on various aspects of Icelandic.
Málið.is
Unified interface for multiple Icelandic language databases (in Icelandic)
Database of Icelandic Morphology
Multipurpose linguistic database featuring extensive inflections and paradigms for Icelandic words
ISLEX
Multilingual online dictionary between modern Icelandic and six Scandinavian target languages
Icelandic Language Consultation
The institute consults on neologisms and other linguistic matters through e-mail (malfarsradgjof@hi.is) and telephone (+354 525 4430). However, the answers to many questions can be easily found through the institute's website using the links to the databases above.
Place Names & Personal Names
The institute’s staff fields questions on place names and other onomastic issues. This includes providing consultation for the public, institutions and private companies on matters such as collecting, cataloging and preserving traditional place names as well as selecting new names, e.g., streets and neighborhoods. Inquiries should be addressed to nafn [at] arnastofnun.is or directly to staff members of the onomastics department.
The Archive of Icelandic Place Names includes an index of almost all farms in Iceland. A portion of the archive is currently accessible through Sarpur, the database for Icelandic cultural history.
Efforts are currently underway to create an online database, nafnið.is, which will facilitate access to the archive for scholars and the public alike. Rannís, the Icelandic Center for Research, recently awarded a grant to support the project with work commencing in 2019.
The Archive of Icelandic Place Names includes an index of almost all farms in Iceland. A portion of the archive is currently accessible through Sarpur, the database for Icelandic cultural history.
Efforts are currently underway to create an online database, nafnið.is, which will facilitate access to the archive for scholars and the public alike. Rannís, the Icelandic Center for Research, recently awarded a grant to support the project with work commencing in 2019.
Language Technology
The institute engages in both theoretical and applied projects in the field of human language technology aimed at supporting linguistic research, lexicography and the development of language technology applications. The outcomes from such projects are utilized both inside and outside the institute. Language technology projects include the comprehensive corpus Risamálheild, a linguistically annotated database compiled from Icelandic texts. The institute also operates Iceland’s national office for CLARIN (Common Language Resources and Technology).