Kynmörkun

Kynmörkun, literally “gender marking,” is a term used in linguistics to describe how languages indicate grammatical gender in their words and structures. In Icelandic, kynmörkun refers to how nouns, adjectives, determiners, and pronouns carry and reflect gender, and how these elements agree across a sentence. The concept encompasses the assignment of grammatical gender to nouns, the agreement of adjectives and articles with that gender, and the use of pronouns that reflect gender.

In Icelandic, nouns are classified into three grammatical genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. Each gender influences related forms such as the definite article suffix and the endings of adjectives. For example, the noun man is masculine (maður), woman is feminine (kona), and child is neuter (barn). When definite, these nouns take distinct suffixes: maðurinn (the man), konan (the woman), barnið (the child). Adjectives agree with the gender, number, and case of the noun: gamall maður (an old man), gömul kona (an old woman), gamalt barn (an old child).

Pronouns also reflect gender in singular: hann (he), hún (she), það (it). Plural forms distinguish gender as well: þeir (they, masculine/mixed), þær (they, feminine), þau (they, neuter). Icelandic thus shows a robust system of kynmörkun where grammatical gender permeates syntax, morphology, and reference.

Sociolinguically, debates around gender-inclusive language influence discussions of kynmörkun. While Icelandic retains a three-gender system, speakers consider choices in pronouns and terminology to reflect social attitudes toward gender, inclusivity, and clarity in communication.