Breakdown of Auk þess ætlum við að nútímavæða námsskrána.
við
we
að
to (infinitive marker)
ætla
to intend
auk þess
in addition
nútímavæða
to modernize
námsskráin
the curriculum
Questions & Answers about Auk þess ætlum við að nútímavæða námsskrána.
Why is the verb ætlum placed before the subject við in this sentence?
This is the V2 (verb-second) rule in action, which is a key feature of Icelandic. Because you started the sentence with the adverbial phrase Auk þess (Furthermore), that phrase takes up the first position. The finite verb ætlum must take the second position, pushing the subject við to the third slot.
What is the literal breakdown of Auk þess, and why is the pronoun in that specific form?
It literally translates to "Besides that" or "In addition to that". The word auk functions here as a preposition that governs the genitive case. Because of this, the neuter pronoun það (that) must change to its genitive form, þess.
How is the verb nútímavæða (to modernize) constructed?
It is formed by combining the noun nútími (modern times / the present) with the verb suffix -væða. This is a very common and useful suffix in Icelandic that works just like the English "-ize" or "-ify" to indicate transforming, equipping, or adapting something (for example, tölvuvæða means to computerize).
Let's break down the word námsskrána. Why does it end in -na?
The base word is námsskrá (curriculum), a feminine compound noun made from the genitive form of nám (study), which is náms, plus skrá (document/registry). In this sentence, it is the direct object of the verb nútímavæða, so it is in the accusative case. The -na suffix is the attached definite article ("the") for a feminine singular noun in the accusative case.
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