Should I learn bokmål or nynorsk?

Since 90% of the Norwegian population use bokmål, we strongly recommend starting with bokmål. Once you have a solid understanding of bokmål, you might wish to learn some nynorsk in order to understand the differences between the two language forms, although nynorsk and bokmål are very close to each other.

Who speaks bokmål? Who speaks nynorsk?

The answer might sound confusing: almost no one. Bokmål and nynorsk are written variations of Norwegian. When speaking, most Norwegians use a local dialect which is more or less the same as one of the two written language forms. Although there is a certain trend towards the standardisation of the spoken language in the Oslo region (“standard Østnorsk”), it is extremely common to hear for example, university professors give a lecture in their local dialect.