Question 1

The dictionary form of the verb is tala. Why is it spelled tölum here?

Accepted Answer

This happens because of a very common Icelandic vowel change called the 'u-shift'. When an a in the main part of a word is followed by an ending that contains a u (like the -um ending for 'we'), the a changes to an ö. So, tala + um becomes tölum.

Question 2

Do all Group 1 verbs change their vowel in the 'we' form like this?

Accepted Answer

Only the ones that have an a in the main part of the word! The -um ending causes this specific shift from a to ö. If a Group 1 verb has a different vowel, like skoða (to look at), it simply takes the ending without changing the inner vowel, becoming við skoðum.

Question 3

Why is mikið used here for 'a lot'?

Accepted Answer

Here, mikið is acting as an adverb describing how much the action (talking) happens. It is actually the neuter form of the adjective mikill (much/great), which is the standard way to turn it into an adverb meaning 'a lot' or 'much' for verbs.

Question 4

Is tala saman a special phrase?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While it translates literally to 'talk together', tala saman is the standard Icelandic way to say 'to converse' or 'to talk to each other'. If you just said við tölum, it sounds more like 'we speak' (as in having the physical ability to speak, or speaking a specific language).

Við tölum mikið saman.

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