Swedish literature
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Swedish literature begins with the Rök runestone and involves such prominent writers as August Strindberg, Esaias Tegnér, Selma Lagerlöf and Astrid Lindgren.
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Runic
The Runic time stretches from 800-1225, when the Futhark alphabet was used. During this time Runes were carved into stones, Runestones of which there are many remains.
Old Swedish
Old Swedish was used is between 1225 and 1526. It is regarded as initiated by the first provincial laws which were written in the Latin alphabet, albeit some old futharks remained, as the Latin alphabet did not have letters for them. For instance ţ (pronounced as "th" in "thing") and đ (pronounced as "th" in "the")
These letters where in common use until about 1350, when the influences from the Gothic language promoted the use of the spellings "dh" and "th".
older New Swedish
The older New Swedish was between 1526 and 1732. It is regarded as having begun with the translation of the New Testament to Swedish done with the advent of the printing press and the European Reformation.
younger New Swedish
The period 1732 to 1910 is called younger New Swedish. It was initiated with Olov von Dahlin publishing the weakly The Swedish Argus. It described current events in a popular appealing way.During this time the language became something the common people mastered. It was written in a style closer to the spoken language.
In the 18th century Latin began to be less prominent in favor of the national language. One of the first popular writers to write in the Swedish language was actually the world renowned botanist Carl Linneaus (1700-1772).
Authors during this period where August Strindberg (1845-1912) who is perhaps the most internationally renowned Swedish author. He wrote in a realistic style.
The literature began changing from about 1840 when Latin was made a voluntary subjects in school, and the Swedish language more and more came to adapt to a style of its own.
In 1906 the most recent language regulations were made. It initiated the current period. Authors from this period are Vilhelm Moberg and Astrid Lindgren. Moberg was writing about the Swedish mass-emigration to the U.S. in the 19th century, and Astrid Lindgren was idyllicing the Swedish provincial life.
See also
References
- Nationencyklopedin, article svenska
- Den svenska litteraturen, L Lönnroth, S. Delblanc et al. et:Rootsi kirjandus fr:Littérature suédoise pl:Literatura szwedzka sv:Svensk litteratur
