Breakdown of Kennarinn getur talað ensku reiprennandi.
kennarinn
the teacher
tala
to speak
enska
English (the language)
geta
to be able to
Questions & Answers about Kennarinn getur talað ensku reiprennandi.
Why does the sentence use talað instead of the infinitive tala?
This is the special rule for the verb geta (can/to be able to). Unlike English, where 'can' is followed by the basic infinitive ('speak'), geta must always be followed by the supine form of the main verb. The supine is identical to the neuter singular form of the past participle, which is why it looks like a past tense word (talað instead of tala) even in a present tense sentence.
Why is the language ensku rather than enska?
Ensku is the accusative form of the feminine noun enska (English). The verb tala takes an object in the accusative case when you are naming the specific language being spoken.
What does the word reiprennandi literally mean?
It translates to 'fluently,' but literally it means 'rope-running' (reip = rope, rennandi = running/sliding). It paints a picture of a rope sliding smoothly and continuously out of a coil, which is exactly how fluent speech sounds! It is a present participle used as an adverb, and its form never changes.
Can you break down the word kennarinn?