The Concept of 'Halvemål' in Norwegian Linguistics – a Historiographical Account

Abstract

This paper explores the historical background and application of the concept halvemål in Norwegian linguistics, with particular regard to the disciplines of dialectology and onomasiology. The concept occurs in numerous studies and serves as an apt illustration of how a folk notion may evolve into a recognized scientifc term. The paper gives a detailed account of the employment of the term, and shows that its signifcation difers noticeably in diferent scholarly contexts. The study further indicates that the concept has been considered “quasi-scientifc” by several scholars, possibly because of its background as a lay explanation.