muntlig

Muntlig is a Norwegian term meaning "oral" or "spoken," used to describe communication, discourse, or evaluation delivered verbally rather than in writing. The word is formed from munn, meaning mouth, and the suffix -lig, indicating a characteristic or relation. In Norwegian, muntlig is commonly contrasted with skriftlig (written) to distinguish between spoken and written forms of language or assessment.

In education, muntlige vurderinger such as muntlig eksamen (oral examination) or muntlig prøve require students to articulate knowledge verbally. These assessments test understanding, reasoning, and the ability to respond spontaneously, and may be conducted individually or in front of helpers or a panel. They are often used together with skriftlige vurderinger (written assessments) to gauge overall competence.

In linguistics and everyday use, muntlig language refers to spoken language, including features such as intonation, rhythm, pauses, discourse markers, and repairs. It is typically more spontaneous and less fixed than written language, with greater reliance on context and shared knowledge. The distinction between muntlig and skriftlig is central in language education, communication studies, and media, reflecting different modalities for producing and interpreting language.