Can a Norwegian understand German?

As a language expert with a deep understanding of linguistics and the relationships between different languages, I can provide a comprehensive answer to your question about the ability of a Norwegian to understand German. Norwegian, like German, belongs to the Germanic family of languages. This means that they share a common linguistic ancestry, which can make it easier for speakers of one language to understand the other. However, the degree to which a Norwegian can understand German depends on several factors, including their exposure to the language, their linguistic background, and their familiarity with other Germanic languages. One of the key factors that can facilitate understanding between Norwegian and German is the presence of cognates, or words that have a common etymological origin. Many German words have cognates in Norwegian, which can make it easier for Norwegian speakers to recognize and understand these words. For example, the German word "Haus" (house) is similar to the Norwegian word "hus," and the German word "Auto" (car) is similar to the Norwegian word "bil." This can help to bridge the gap between the two languages and facilitate communication. Another factor that can aid in understanding is the structure of the two languages. Both Norwegian and German are characterized by a similar word order, with the subject typically coming before the verb and the object. This can make it easier for Norwegian speakers to parse and understand German sentences, as the basic structure of the sentences will be familiar to them. However, there are also significant differences between the two languages that can pose challenges for Norwegian speakers. German is known for its complex grammar, with a case system that marks nouns for their grammatical function in a sentence. This can be particularly challenging for Norwegian speakers, as Norwegian does not have a case system. Additionally, German has a more extensive vocabulary than Norwegian, which can make it more difficult for Norwegian speakers to understand certain words or phrases. Furthermore, the pronunciation of the two languages can also be quite different. While some sounds in German may be familiar to Norwegian speakers, others may be more difficult to pronounce or recognize. This can make it more challenging for Norwegian speakers to understand spoken German, particularly if they are not accustomed to the sounds of the language. It's also worth noting that the level of English proficiency among Norwegians can impact their ability to understand German. As you mentioned, Norwegians often learn English from a young age, and this can sometimes interfere with their ability to understand other Germanic languages. English and German share many cognates and have similar grammatical structures, but they also have significant differences in vocabulary and pronunciation. This can sometimes lead to confusion or difficulty in understanding German for Norwegian speakers who are more familiar with English. In conclusion, while there are certainly challenges to understanding German as a Norwegian speaker, there are also many factors that can facilitate this understanding. The presence of cognates, similar word order, and shared linguistic ancestry can all help to bridge the gap between the two languages. However, differences in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation can also pose challenges. Ultimately, the ability of a Norwegian to understand German will depend on their individual linguistic background, exposure to the language, and familiarity with other Germanic languages.

Danish and Norwegian are written very much like Dutch, but when it's spoken it sounds completely different. Swedish is too far for any understanding, though the order of words and some words are spelled somewhat the same. Easiest of all these would be German, were it not that we learn English from a very young age.