This series of illustrations and icons show the very literal Icelandic translations in a charming way. The Instagram account Every Single Word in Icelandic features the work of New York-based artist Eunhan Huh, or user @snorlax.gif.
The Icelandic translations are very literal deconstructions of various terms. This is represented with simple and clean drawings, which stands in contrast to the notoriously difficult to learn language. Some examples include echo ('bergmal'), which means rock language and hippopotamus ('flóðhestur') which translates to flood plus horse. Other terms the illustrator tackles are bra ('brjóstahöld'), zoo ('dýragarður'), arm ('handleggur') and planet ('reikistjarna'). The caption of each Instagram post explains the meaning behind the word, which is often quite humorous.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Literal Language Illustrations
- Visual representation of literal translations in a charming way.
- Clean and Simple Drawings
- Using simple illustrations to represent complex ideas.
- Humorous Captions
- Adding humor to educational content to make it more engaging.
Where This Applies
- Language Learning
- Using visual aids to teach language and increase retention.
- Graphic Design
- Creating infographics and illustrations to make complex ideas more accessible.
- Social Media
- Using humor and visuals to increase engagement on social media platforms.
