umráða

Umræða is an Icelandic noun meaning discussion, discourse, or debate. It refers to the act of exchanging views on a topic and can describe both informal conversations and formal deliberations in settings such as meetings, classrooms, media discussions, or parliamentary proceedings. The term often implies a back-and-forth process rather than a single speech.

Etymology-wise, umræða is built from the preposition um, meaning about or around, combined with ræða or ræða meaning speech or talk. It has Old Norse roots and is a standard part of Icelandic vocabulary.

In usage, umræðan can describe the overall discourse surrounding a topic as well as the act of debating itself. It appears in journalism, policy discussions, and academic writing when analyzing how a topic is framed, argued, and understood. The term is neutral, with the tone of the surrounding discussion ranging from constructive to contentious.

See also: related concepts such as ræðuhöld (debates) and phrases like í umræðunni (in the discourse) or umræðan um ákveðin mál (the discourse on specific issues).