RiksmålBokmål

Riksmål and Bokmål are two written standards of the Norwegian language. Bokmål is the most widely used written form of Norwegian, recognized and regulated by the Norwegian Language Council. It evolved from Dano-Norwegian, a written language used in Norway during the period of Danish rule, and has undergone reforms to become more distinct from Danish.

Riksmål, meaning "national language," is a more conservative written standard. It generally retains more of the older Dano-Norwegian features and has resisted some of the reforms that shaped Bokmål. While Bokmål is the official standard in education, government, and most media, Riksmål is still used by some individuals and organizations, particularly in literary contexts and by those who prefer its more traditional linguistic character.

The differences between Riksmål and Bokmål are often subtle, relating to spelling, vocabulary, and grammatical endings. For instance, certain words might have slightly different spellings in each standard. Despite these variations, the two are largely mutually intelligible, and speakers of one standard can generally understand the other. The debate over the relationship between Riksmål and Bokmål reflects broader discussions about national identity and linguistic development in Norway.