​​​​​The Faroese language, part of the North Germanic language group, evolved from Old Norse, the language spoken by the Vikings. The Faroe Islands, where Faroese is spoken, have been inhabited since the Viking Age, and the language developed in relative isolation, influenced by the Old Norse spoken by settlers from Norway. Over centuries, the language underwent changes, influenced by Danish, especially after Denmark took control of the islands in the 16th century. Despite these influences, Faroese remained distinct from Danish and Icelandic, developing its own unique characteristics and a rich system of inflections and verb forms.

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The 19th century saw a strong revival movement for Faroese, as the language had been in decline due to Danish dominance, especially in education and governance. Nationalist sentiments in the Faroes, alongside efforts by scholars like Venceslaus Ulricus Hammershaimb, helped to standardize the language and revitalize its use in literature and everyday life. Faroese became the official language of the Faroe Islands in the 20th century, alongside Danish. Today, Faroese is spoken by around 75,000 - 80,000 people (about the population of the Faroe Islands) and remains a crucial aspect of the islands’ identity and culture.

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The hardcover book 1 is becoming quite hard to find, and a price to match. The last known public sale of a hardcover Faroese was in 2023 and sold for $750, which is quite high for a translation that is not considered a Big Six translation.

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To learn more about the Faroese islands and language, Click Here.

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To hear the 1st paragraph of the 1st book, Click Here.