Útgangspunkt

Útgangspunkt is an Icelandic term commonly translated as "starting point" or "point of departure." It designates the base from which reasoning, action, or travel proceeds. In both academic discourse and practical planning, útgangspunkt helps frame scope and initial assumptions.

Etymology: The word is a compound formed from út (out, from) andgangspunkt, the latter meaning "starting point" or "foundation." In Icelandic usage, the term functions similarly to Danish and Norwegian udgangspunkt, which carry a comparable meaning of origin from which a process unfolds. Some contexts prefer upphaf or byrjun for more everyday "beginning," but útgangspunkt emphasizes the basis or origin for subsequent steps.

Usage: It is widely used in research, analysis, and project planning to denote the reference point or hypothesis guiding work. For example: "The útgangspunkt of the argument is that economic incentives influence behavior." In travel or navigation, it can refer to the place where a journey begins.

Nuance: The term highlights the underlying basis rather than mere commencement, and it is common in formal writing, policy documents, and theoretical discussions.

See also: Upphaf; Byrjun.