The Suffix -væða
To express transforming, modernizing, or equipping something (like English "-ize" or "-ify"), Icelandic uses the highly productive suffix -væða.
Attach -væða to a noun or adjective to form a new verb. For instance, combining einka- (private) with -væða creates einkavæða (to privatize).
These are weak -di verbs (forming their past tense with a dental suffix, e.g., einkavæddi). In the present tense, they conjugate as follows:
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st person | -væði | -væðum |
| 2nd person | -væðir | -væðið |
| 3rd person | -væðir | -væða |
These verbs take accusative objects.
| We must not privatize the healthcare system. | Við eigum ekki að einkavæða heilbrigðiskerfið. |
| It is a concern if the state privatizes the healthcare system. | Það er áhyggjuefni ef ríkið einkavæðir heilbrigðiskerfið. |
Language and Globalization
The suffix -væða is frequently used for cultural and linguistic shifts, such as enskuvæða (to Anglicize) or alþjóðavæða (to globalize).
| The media Anglicize society too much. | Fjölmiðlarnir enskuvæða samfélagið alltof mikið. |
| Does the internet globalize the media? | Alþjóðavæðir netið fjölmiðlana? |
| In short, video games Anglicize the kids. | Í stuttu máli enskuvæða tölvuleikirnir krakkana. |
Technology and the Cashless Society
Another common context is technological transformation. Adding the root of tölva (computer) creates tölvuvæða (to computerize), often used when discussing updates to bankakerfið (the banking system) and the decline of reiðufé (cash).
| In short, it is necessary to computerize the banking system. | Í stuttu máli er nauðsynlegt að tölvuvæða bankakerfið. |
| We use cash until we computerize the banking system. | Við notum reiðufé þangað til við tölvuvæðum bankakerfið. |
| Do they intend to privatize the banking system and stop using cash? | Ætla þeir að einkavæða bankakerfið og hætta að nota reiðufé? |