språkene

Språkene is the definite plural form of the word språk in Norwegian, meaning the languages. The term can be used to refer to the set of languages spoken in a region, a country, or globally. Language is a system of communication that uses spoken sounds, written symbols, or other signs to express thoughts and experiences. Languages are learned through social interaction and education and change over time as communities adopt new words, pronunciations, and structures.

Languages vary in structure and use. They differ in phonology (sounds), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence structure), and lexicon (vocabulary). Linguists classify languages into families that reflect historical origins, such as Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan, Afro-Asiatic, and Niger-Congo. Within and between languages, speakers may use dialects that differ in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The boundary between language and dialect is often influenced by sociopolitical factors as well as linguistic ones.

Writing systems accompany many languages, including alphabets, syllabaries, logographic scripts, or combinations of these. Writing enables the preservation of speech across generations, supports education and administration, and facilitates literature and science. Modern technology affects language use through digital communication, mobile devices, and automated translation, while also presenting challenges for minority languages.

Societal aspects shape how languages live. Multilingual communities routinely switch between languages in everyday life, education, and public life. Language policy—encompassing official status, schooling, media, and planning—affects which languages are learned and valued. Many languages face endangerment as speakers shift to dominant languages; preservation efforts, documentation, and community-led initiatives aim to protect linguistic diversity for the future.