Riksmål

Riksmål is a conservative written standard of the Norwegian language, traditionally considered one of the forms within Bokmål. It originated in the 19th century from Norwegian usage that closely followed Danish spelling and grammar, during Norway’s union with Denmark and the subsequent effort to develop a distinctly Norwegian written language.

Historically, Riksmål represented a traditional spelling and vocabulary that many Norwegian writers and officials associated with national identity and cultural continuity. In the course of the 20th century, orthographic reforms and language planning produced more reformist strands within Bokmål, leading to a distinction in practice between Riksmål and the newer Bokmål conventions. The name Riksmål is still used to denote the conservative end of Bokmål, in contrast to more modern spellings adopted by broader usage.

In contemporary Norway, Bokmål is the dominant written standard in government, media, and education, while Riksmål is maintained as a distinct variant by language societies and a minority of writers, publishers, and public institutions that advocate traditional orthography. The term is often associated with the Riksmålsforbundet, an organization that promotes Riksmål and provides resources on its spelling, grammar, and vocabulary.

Key characteristics of Riksmål include its retention of older Danish-influenced spellings and forms, and its emphasis on a spelling and diction that align with late 19th to early 20th-century Norwegian usage. Today it is regarded mainly as a historical or minority variant within the broader Bokmål landscape.