Elfdalsmål

Elfdalsmål, also known as Övdalska or Älvdalska, is a North Germanic language spoken in the valley of Älvdalen in Dalarna County, Sweden. While many researchers describe it as a distinct language, others have treated it as a regional dialect of Swedish. It forms part of the North Germanic branch and is noted for features that set it apart from standard Swedish, including differences in lexicon, morphology, and phonology. Mutual intelligibility with Swedish is limited for many speakers, particularly outside the Älvdalen area.

Historically, Elfdalsmål coexisted with Swedish and other local varieties. The language underwent a long period of decline as formal education and administration shifted to Swedish. Since the late 20th century, revitalization efforts have focused on documentation, education, and local media, with projects that include dictionaries, grammars, orthography work, and language courses.

The writing system uses the Latin alphabet and accommodates diacritics and local spellings. A traditional orthography is used in local publications and school materials, reflecting regional linguistic norms. In daily life, Elfdalsmål coexists with Swedish, often in bilingual settings; many speakers use Swedish for official and formal contexts while maintaining Elfdalsmål in homes, community events, and local communication.

Today, Elfdalsmål is regarded as endangered, with speakers concentrated in Älvdalen and nearby communities. Linguists, local communities, and cultural organizations continue to document the language and promote transmission to younger generations through archival work, educational resources, and cultural activities.