Duolingo has helped millions of users build a habit of learning new languages. Given its impressive variety, many language enthusiasts have wondered whether Icelandic—a language with a rich history and unique linguistic features—is available on Duolingo. Icelandic is the official language of Iceland and is spoken by around 350,000 people. It is known for its complex grammar, preservation of Old Norse elements, and distinct pronunciation, making it a fascinating yet challenging language to learn.

Despite its growing interest among language learners, Icelandic has yet to be added to Duolingo’s course offerings. This has left many potential learners searching for alternative language study methods. But why isn’t Icelandic available on Duolingo, and what are the best ways to learn it instead? Let’s explore the details.

Does Duolingo Offer Icelandic?

Icelandic is not currently available on Duolingo. Duolingo has not yet developed an Icelandic course despite high demand from language enthusiasts. This absence is particularly noticeable given the platform’s extensive collection of languages, including several other Nordic languages such as Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish.

Many users have expressed interest in learning Icelandic on Duolingo, often citing its rich history, close ties to Old Norse, and unique linguistic structure. However, developing a Duolingo course depends on various factors, including available resources and native speakers willing to contribute, and the company prioritizes specific languages based on global demand.

Duolingo typically relies on a combination of community contributors and professional linguists to develop its courses. Still, Icelandic may present additional challenges due to its relatively small number of speakers—only about 350,000 worldwide. Unlike widely spoken languages with millions of potential learners, Icelandic may not be seen as a high-priority addition compared to languages with broader global appeal.

While Duolingo continues to expand its language offerings, including indigenous and endangered languages like Hawaiian and Navajo, Icelandic remains absent. Learners interested in the language often use alternative resources, such as Memrise, online courses, YouTube tutorials, and language exchange programs. Until Duolingo officially adds Icelandic to its platform, aspiring learners must rely on these alternative methods to immerse themselves in the language.

Why Isn’t Icelandic on Duolingo?

Despite the enthusiasm of many language learners, Icelandic has yet to be added to Duolingo’s extensive catalog. While the platform has introduced courses in less commonly spoken languages, such as Hawaiian and Navajo, Icelandic remains absent. There are a few key reasons why this is the case:

1. Limited Resources & Demand

Icelandic is spoken by roughly 350,000 people, making it one of the world’s least widely spoken national languages. While the language holds immense cultural and historical significance, mainly due to its preservation of Old Norse linguistic structures, its global reach is relatively small.

Duolingo prioritizes languages based on demand, and while there is a passionate community of Icelandic learners, it does not compare in scale to the demand for more widely spoken languages such as Spanish, French, German, or even Norwegian—the latter being a popular choice due to Scandinavian cultural influence and business ties.

Additionally, because Icelandic is already well-preserved within its native-speaking community (thanks to Iceland’s strict language policies), there is less external pressure for language-learning platforms to provide a comprehensive course.

2. Complex Grammar & Vocabulary

Icelandic is notoriously difficult for non-native speakers to learn. It has a highly inflected grammar system, meaning words change significantly depending on case, gender, and number. Unlike English, which has largely lost its case system, Icelandic retains four grammatical cases (nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive), making it closer to Latin or Russian in complexity.

Additionally, Icelandic vocabulary remains unique mainly because the language avoids borrowing foreign words. Instead of adopting loanwords, Icelanders create new words from existing Icelandic roots, which makes it harder for learners to recognize familiar terms. This also means that the vocabulary used in modern technology, science, and daily life requires additional explanation and memorization.

Structuring an Icelandic course would be a significant challenge for Duolingo, which relies on a bite-sized lesson format. The language’s many declensions and irregular verb patterns require detailed explanations that might not fit neatly into Duolingo’s usual approach, where learners are encouraged to pick up grammar naturally through repetition rather than direct instruction.

3. Lack of Course Contributors

One of Duolingo’s key methods for developing new courses is its Incubator program, where native speakers and linguists collaborate to create lessons. However, Icelandic faces a challenge in this regard—there is a relatively small pool of fluent speakers who also have the expertise and time to contribute to course creation.

Since Icelandic is spoken primarily in Iceland, most native speakers already have access to high-quality language education. They may not see a pressing need to contribute to a Duolingo course. Unlike more prominent languages with more international learners and expatriate communities advocating for their inclusion, Icelandic lacks a widespread base of volunteers who can drive development.

Furthermore, linguistic preservation efforts in Iceland are highly controlled by institutions like the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, which focuses on maintaining the purity of the language. There may be less incentive for native Icelandic speakers to develop a Duolingo course when other structured learning resources, such as university courses and online programs, are already available.

Will Duolingo Ever Add Icelandic?

Duolingo regularly expands its language offerings, often adding new courses based on user demand and the availability of contributors. Icelandic has been a highly requested language for years, with many users expressing interest in learning it through Duolingo’s gamified platform. Despite this demand, Duolingo has not officially confirmed that Icelandic is in development or even on its roadmap for future courses.

One of the primary challenges with adding Icelandic to Duolingo is the availability of native speakers who can help develop and maintain the course. Duolingo relies on volunteers, educators, and linguistic experts to create new courses, and more minor languages like Icelandic may not have as many contributors as more widely spoken languages. Additionally, Icelandic is a complex language with unique grammar rules and a relatively small number of speakers—around 350,000 worldwide—which may make it less of a priority than languages with a more extensive learner base.

However, this doesn’t mean Icelandic will never be added. Duolingo considers user interest when deciding which languages to introduce next. The best way to encourage Duolingo to add Icelandic is by actively participating in Duolingo forums, upvoting the request for Icelandic, and engaging in discussions about the language. Duolingo has previously added languages like Hawaiian and Navajo after persistent community interest, proving that user demand plays a significant role in their decision-making process.

Icelandic learners may need to explore alternative language-learning resources, such as Memrise, iTalki, or the University of Iceland’s free online courses. While Duolingo’s structure makes language learning accessible and engaging, many ways exist to start learning Icelandic while waiting for Duolingo to add it.

Alternative Ways to Learn Icelandic

Even though Duolingo doesn’t offer Icelandic, there are still many ways to learn the language. Below is a breakdown of different learning resources, their features, and who they are best suited for.

Each resource caters to different learning styles, whether you prefer structured courses, gamified apps, or direct tutoring. While Duolingo doesn’t support Icelandic, combining these tools can provide a well-rounded learning experience.

Conclusion

While Icelandic is not currently available on Duolingo, many effective ways to learn the language still exist. Dedicated learners can still make significant progress by utilizing alternative apps, books, and tutors. If Duolingo eventually adds Icelandic, it will be a welcome addition, but for now, those eager to learn will need to explore other resources. Keep an eye on Duolingo updates, as they frequently introduce new languages based on demand and availability!