Nýsköpun

Nýsköpun is the creation and introduction of new words or new senses in a language. In Icelandic linguistics, the term is used to describe neologisms—recently entered lexical items or updated meanings that gain acceptance in everyday speech and writing. The concept encompasses both the act of coining new terms and the resulting linguistic forms that become part of the vocabulary.

Neologisms arise in response to changes in technology, science, culture, and social life. They can be formed in several ways, including derivation and affixation (adding prefixes or suffixes to existing bases), compounding (combining elements into new words), semantic shift (new meanings for existing words), and calques or loan translations (borrowing concepts and rendering them in Icelandic structures). Another common pathway is adapting foreign terms to Icelandic phonology and spelling.

Adoption of new terms depends on usage, acceptance by speakers, and editorial or institutional standardization. Some neologisms gain widespread use, are included in dictionaries and language resources, and become standard. Others remain niche or fade away. Icelandic language policy and lexicography often emphasize creating Icelandic equivalents for new concepts, reflecting a purist impulse to keep foreign influence at bay while recognizing practical need for new vocabulary in technology, media, and science.

Examples of neologism activity include Icelandic terms developed for modern life, such as native forms proposed for computer and internet-related concepts, alongside borrowed terms adapted to Icelandic spelling. Over time, many neologisms are assimilated and contribute to the evolving landscape of the Icelandic lexicon.