What do vikings speak like?

Answer 1

A common misconception is that the Vikings were a single people. A viking was just a job occupation, and not one that was done constantly. A person who went 'aviking' was a viking. At least for the time he was doing it. Once he got back, he went back to being a farmer, blacksmith, a Prince or whatever he was before he went on the voyage. Anyone from the North European countries who went on these trade and raid expeditions would be considered a viking.

If, however, you want an example of what someone from the viking age spoke like, find someone in Icelandic. Modern Icelandic is nearly identical to Old Norse. The language never changed. Therefore, this is language Lief Erikson spoke. It is a guttural language, like all Germanic languages, not dissimiliar in tone to German.

here's a video of some random dude talking in Icelandic: http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=gMni4Mv_d50

Answer 2

Sure.

In a historical perspective, vikings lived pretty much "yesterday". Genetically, they're just like us.

Their knowledge base would be quite different, but apart from that they'd be able to do all the things we do. And they certainly did talk, sing and write stories.

Answer 3

The vikings came from various Northern European cultures, and had several languages, including Old German, Old Norse (which is still spoken today as Icelandic), Old Danish, and Old English. All of these languages are related to each other, as they have the same origins, stemming back to the Indo-European Migration.

Answer 4

Yes, they spoke Norse.