mundtlig

Mundtlig is a Danish adjective meaning related to spoken language or oral communication. In everyday use it most often denotes something performed by mouth rather than in writing, and it is commonly contrasted with skriftlig (written). The term is frequently encountered in educational contexts, such as mundtlig eksamen (oral examination) or mundtlig præsentation (oral presentation), but it also describes general aspects of spoken communication.

Etymology and cognates: Mundtlig is formed from mund (mouth) and the suffix -lig, meaning related to or pertaining to. It is a North Germanic term with cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Norwegian muntlig and Swedish muntlig, which share the same basic meaning of “oral” or “spoken.”

Usage and scope: In addition to education, mundtlig can describe spoken forms of discourse, feedback, or formidling (communication) and is used to distinguish oral rather than written modes of expression. The concept is part of a broader linguistic and cultural distinction between mundtlig (oral) and skriftlig (written) traditions or practices.

See also: Skriftlig (written); muntlig (for related Norwegian/Swedish terms).