How to Pronounce Icelandic Volcano: Þráinsskjaldarhraun

If there is something you can rely on in Iceland, it’s that there will eventually be a volcano eruption somewhere—and the name of it will be impossible for the rest of the world to pronounce.

But we want to help, so welcome to Grapevine’s Science Lab where we will teach you to pronounce the words circulating around this possible eruption. Our guinea pig today is John Pearson, an experienced ex-BBC radio professional, who tries to get his English-speaking mouth around the news anchor’s worst nightmare.

Þráinsskjaldarhraun - Thrainn Shield Lava
Fagradalsfjall - Beautiful Valley Mountain
Sundhnjúkagígaröð - Channel Mountain Crater Series

[francismarcelvos]

Ah, now I understand why there are so few Icelanders. Most died trying to talk Icelandic.

[owlspook]

I used to think I'd never be able to pronounce Icelandic especially those long words. I probably won't remember how to pronounce them tomorrow (need more practice for that) but I was thrilled when I realized what came out of my mouth was close to what I heard you say (big smile) I also appreciate how you explained the individual words within the larger names which made it easier to understand! If you get some time I'd appreciate more little lessons on Icelandic. Takk (smile)

[danielparrott]

Did you hear the old Icelandic joke- "Það er heppilegt að það er ekkert eldfjall á

[mikerichards]

Seriously, the Grapevine Science Lab is becoming essential evening viewing - it’s like tuning into the Open University. Though disappointed not to see the Viking helmet again - how are newcomers going to know Valur is a Viking if he doesn’t wear the helmet?

[Aneokame]

Wow what a great video, this really helped explain it. I love the break down of the words!

[warden]

Þ is called a Thorn in English. it does not appear in the modern alphabet but the closest letter is y. It is sometimes found in old texts, which is why the word "the" is sometimes written as "ye". Icelanders, of course, will understand immediately, but it confuses a lot of people. 26 letters are not really enough.

[michaeldeierhoi]

Watching this now November 14, 2023 when this volcanic crater row called Sundhnujukagigatod is mentioned often by geologists. The 15 km dyke runs just west of this system and everyone is waiting for where it decides to erupt.

[andreazinsmeyer-wiser]

This is the first time I have understood you language. Please create more!! Help me!

[chriskelvin]

I'm getting the sense that saying the word "hnjuka" is even 10x more difficult with a stuffy nose. Conversely, if you exhale through your nose as you launch off the "hn", you will have a much easier time pronouncing it. American english speaker here.

[johnjupiter]

Good to know, sounds like a magic spell!

[nickauclair]

You're going to get a lava field.

[heartwings]

I was trying to learn some Icelandic, but had to give it up when I discovered my insurance did not cover injuries caused by it. I do the best I can, I'm trying! English does not have a lot of words w/ consonant clusters longer than three of them, so 5 or more together in Icelandic are really hard!

Hey, I want to see Valur in a Viking helmet too... with a matching one for Polly, of course!

[quantumcat]

I love those Icelanders. They are some sort of indestructible Vikings, living essentially on top of volcanoes. They seem to be great travelers for one Icelander can typically go to Europe and back to America many times a day.

[Neophema]

3:13 Valur pronounces the d in Þráinsskjaldarhraun as a t, and then the English guy pronounces it as a d.

[WolfgangWhyte]

How do you say "comedy gold" in Icelandic? :D

PS - Thanks for the tutorial!

[roop]

Oh, come on. You just dropped a bag of scrabble letters on the floor and laid them out in a line.

[quantumcat]

Besides, "Reykjavik Raincoats", what Iceland typically sell to the world?

[krisushi]

It's fine to pronounce it now along with the video but remembering tomorrow will be a different story. It would be so much easier if the Icelandic Language didn't have so many letters! Thanks for the education.🇦🇺

[brassen]

The only thing in Icelandic I know is "Ho-ho Rrre-gi-na!"

...

(btw, since the 1990s trying to find these lyrics) cheers from South America

[masterplumberrob]

Well... We gon b steek in ta English 😁