Utvanlig

Utvanlig is a term that appears in Scandinavian language contexts to convey the sense of not being ordinary or not typical. In contemporary standard usage, the form utvanlig is generally considered nonstandard or dialectal. The more common spellings are uvanlig in Norwegian and van- in Swedish; the Swedish equivalent is ovanlig. In modern Norwegian and Swedish, these standard forms are preferred in both everyday and formal writing.

Etymology and forms: The word is built from the root vanlig, meaning common or usual, with a prefix that signals negation or deviation. In Norwegian, the usual negated adjective is u-vanlig (uvanlig), and in Swedish the corresponding form is ovanlig. The prefix ut- is encountered in various compounds in some dialects or historical texts, but utvanlig is not treated as the standard form in contemporary reference works.

Usage and notes: Utvanlig is rarely used in present-day formal Norwegian or Swedish. In most contexts, writers should use uvanlig (Norwegian) or ovanlig (Swedish). When translating or adapting texts, it is advisable to employ the standard forms to ensure clarity and accessibility for readers of the respective language. Semantic equivalents in English include unusual, uncommon, atypical, or extraordinary, depending on nuance and context.

Examples:

- Norwegian: Det var en uvanlig hendelse. (That was an unusual event.)

- Swedish: Det var en ovanlig händelse. (That was an unusual event.)

See also: uncommon, unusual, odd, extraordinary.

---