The Norwegian Wikipedia refers collectively to the two separate editions of Wikipedia, the free, multilingual internet encyclopedia, which are written in the two official written forms of the Norwegian language: Bokmål and Nynorsk. While both serve the same linguistic community, they operate as distinct projects with their own article bases and communities.
Background: Norway has two official written standards for its language: Bokmål (literally "book language"), which is the most widely used and derives from Dano-Norwegian, and Nynorsk (literally "new Norwegian"), which was developed in the 19th century as a synthesis of Norwegian dialects. Due to this linguistic duality, the Wikipedia community chose to establish two separate editions to cater to each standard.
Norwegian (Bokmål) Wikipedia:
- URL:
no.wikipedia.org - Launch: The Bokmål edition was the first Norwegian Wikipedia to be launched, beginning in November 2001.
- Content: It contains articles primarily written in the Bokmål standard, often incorporating elements of Riksmål, a conservative written form closely related to Bokmål.
- Size: As the more widely used language form, the Bokmål Wikipedia generally maintains a significantly larger number of articles and a more extensive base of active contributors compared to its Nynorsk counterpart. It covers a vast range of subjects, mirroring the comprehensive scope of Wikipedia's global project.
Norwegian (Nynorsk) Wikipedia:
- URL:
nn.wikipedia.org - Launch: The Nynorsk edition was launched separately in July 2004, following the establishment of the Bokmål version.
- Content: It is dedicated to articles written exclusively in the Nynorsk standard. Its creation was crucial for ensuring the preservation and development of Nynorsk in the digital sphere, providing a platform for Nynorsk speakers and writers.
- Size: While smaller in article count and contributor base than the Bokmål edition, the Nynorsk Wikipedia is a vital resource for Nynorsk users and plays a significant role in promoting the language.
Community and Interplay: Both Norwegian Wikipedia editions are maintained by volunteer editors and administrators, adhering to the Wikimedia Foundation's principles of neutrality, verifiability, and free content. Despite being distinct projects, there is a degree of overlap in their volunteer communities, with some individuals contributing to both. The existence of two separate projects highlights Wikipedia's commitment to linguistic diversity and the specific needs of language communities. These editions collectively serve as a primary source of free, encyclopedic information for speakers of Norwegian worldwide.