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Can the grammar textbook become a bestseller? Marta and Marcin Reteccy, authors of the textbook “Anatomy of Norwegian”, proved that it is possible! Their book is a real rarity among grammar textbooks. Beautiful graphics, a wide range of topics and examples with Polish translation are some of the many distinguishing features of this book.
What does grammar have to do with anatomy?
The authors decided to compare the structure of language to the structure of the human body, i.e. the parts that are dependent and inseparable from each other. That is why “Anatomy of Norwegian”, like a textbook on human anatomy, can be of use to us regardless of our current level of knowledge. The examples used in the book are also taken from medicine, which creates its unique atmosphere, although in my opinion it makes learning the basics of Norwegian grammar a bit more difficult.
Building the book
The chapters in “Anatomy of Norwegian” are devoted to the parts of speech and Norwegian syntax, with information ranging from the most basic to advanced. If we want to learn how to create the passive voice of a verb in Norwegian, we will look at the section on the verb and look for the name of the problem in Norwegian or in the Polish translation. In the relevant section, we will learn the basics of using the passive voice, and for more advanced ones – a list of frequently asked questions with detailed explanations. If your head of knowledge is not satisfied at this stage, you can use the links to related issues. The icing on the cake is an extensive list of idioms related to body parts at the end of the book.
Norwegian grammar and the Polish case
The authors of “Anatomy of Norwegian” have been running a great blog about the Norwegian grammar of the Night Owl for many years, thanks to which they have extensive experience in translating its intricacies. Both on the blog and in the book, we will find comparisons of Norwegian and Polish grammar. This makes it easier to understand new topics and distinguishes “Anatomy of Norwegian” from other grammar textbooks. For example, in the chapter on articles, we first recall the phenomenon of gender in Polish. Then we learn Norwegian articles through examples and learn how important it is to write newly learned nouns together with articles (especially as the noun types are not the same in Polish and Norwegian).
A manual for years
I know from experience that “Anatomy of Norwegian” is useful at every stage of learning the language. Beginner users of Norwegian can find explanations of basic grammar concepts, such as conjugation of nouns and adjectives, basic tenses, pronouns and syntax. However, each of these elements can be explored in more detail, if we are interested in an issue at a higher level of language knowledge. If you know Norwegian at an advanced level, you will surely like the “frequently asked questions” section for every topic. That is why even those who are fluent in Norwegian are eager to consult it to consolidate their skills.
So if you want to learn Norwegian grammar in a fun way, or are just curious about it, I recommend you to consult the book “Anatomy of Norwegian”. Besides, it’s hard to resist such a wonderful cover, which attracts the eye with the Norwegian national costume bunad 😉
