Sjálfsögðu

Sjálfsögðu is an Icelandic word that translates to "self-evident" or "obvious" in English. It is used to describe something that is clear and requires no further explanation or proof. The term is derived from the words "sjálfur" meaning "self" and "sögðu" meaning "said" or "told," implying that the truth of something is so apparent that it tells itself.

In everyday Icelandic conversation, sjálfsögðu is frequently used to affirm a statement or to express agreement with a point that is considered undeniable. For example, if someone states a universally accepted fact, another person might respond with sjálfsögðu to indicate that the information is common knowledge. It can also be used sarcastically to highlight the obviousness of a situation or a statement that someone has just made.

The concept of self-evidence is important in philosophy and logic, where certain propositions are considered self-evident truths that form the basis for further reasoning. While sjálfsögðu directly translates to self-evident, its usage in Icelandic often carries a more colloquial and less formal weight than its philosophical counterpart. It reflects a cultural tendency to acknowledge and accept things that are perceived as readily apparent.