Question 1

Why is brandara in the accusative case here? Doesn't equating two things usually require the nominative?

Accepted Answer

While saying the position is a joke would use the nominative for both (embættið er brandari), the verb kalla (to call) takes a double accusative. This means both the thing being named (embættið) and the label it is given (brandara) must be in the accusative case.

Question 2

I thought brandara was the plural form of the word for a joke. Why is it translated as singular?

Accepted Answer

The word brandari is a weak masculine noun. Weak masculine nouns ending in -i change their ending to -a in the accusative, dative, and genitive singular. While the accusative plural is also brandara, context tells us it is singular here.

Question 3

Why doesn't brandara have the definite article attached to it, like embættið does?

Accepted Answer

In constructions where you name or classify something, the object being labeled (embættið, the position) is usually specific and definite, while the category it is put into (brandara, a joke) is general and indefinite. This perfectly matches the English translation.

Question 4

I have seen kalla used to mean to shout. Does it still take a double accusative in that context?

Accepted Answer

No, the double accusative structure only applies when kalla means to name or to label. If you are talking about shouting or calling out to someone, you would use the preposition á followed by the accusative, such as kalla á hann (to call out to him).

Nefndin kallar embættið brandara.

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