rumorcontrol asked: Hi! Visiting for the first time in September. I'm concerned and curious about learning a little of the language. How important do you think that would be, and can you recommend a good book/CD/program? Thanks.
Everybody in Iceland speaks pretty good English, so there is no definite need to learn Icelandic. However as anywhere, making an honest attempt at the language is always welcomed. Learning at the least basic phrases such as (with rough phonetics):
Góðan daginn [go-than-die-in] = good day / hello
Hæ [hie] = Hi
Bless bless [bless-bless] = Literally “bless” but used as bye
Takk fyrir [taakk-fyrrir] = Thank you. Can also say simply “takk”.
Afsakið [afsa-keeth] = Excuse me / sorry
Ég heiti [yech-hate-ii] = My name is
Ég er frá [yech-err-frau] = I am from
Bandaríkjunum [Baanda-reek-yu-num] = USA
Bretlandi [Bret-landy] = England
There are some books and websites you can use. I have answered a few similar questions before. The most thorough free resource is Icelandic Online by the University of Iceland.
Gangi þér vel [gown-gee-thierr-vell] = Good luck
og góða ferð. [och-go-tha-ferrth] = and have a nice trip.
