Tungumála

Tungumála is the Icelandic word for languages. It is closely related to the singular tungumál, which means language. The term is used broadly to refer to human languages as a system of communication shared within communities, as well as to refer to the study and classification of those languages in academic contexts.

Etymology and meaning: tungumál combines the elements for tongue or speech and language, reflecting the traditional view of language as a manifestation of speech. The form tungumála appears in grammatical contexts such as possessive or plural constructions, but in everyday use the core idea is simply “language” or “languages.”

Usage and scope: In Icelandic, tungumál is used for any spoken or signed language, including national languages, minority languages, and constructed languages. It appears in phrases like tungumál Ísland? or íslenska tungumálið (the Icelandic language) and in academic terms such as tungumálafræði (linguistics) and for discussions of language families, language policy, and language history. The term also features in educational materials, media, and public discourse when referring to language diversity or language education.

Relation to other terms: Tungumál is differentiated from related concepts such as máltökur (speech acts) and málfræði (grammar) in Icelandic. While tungumál focuses on language as a system of communication, other terms address specific aspects like pronunciation, syntax, or language learning.

See also: tungumálafræði, málfræði, íslenska tungumálið, íslensk tunga. References are typically drawn from linguistic and language-policy literature in Icelandic.