The Icelandic Roots Writing Group recently had a story prompt to write about “Something that is very Icelandic”.
By Sharron Arksey
A wooden sign hangs from a magnet on our metal front door. Although it is routinely switched out for seasonal greetings – Christmas, Easter, Canada Day, and the like – it is soon returned to its place after the holiday is over.
We have had the same sign for decades now and it is beginning to show its age. When we lived on the farm, the sign hung on an exterior door and so was exposed to the elements. Antique experts might say it has an interesting patina, which might make it more valuable. I think it’s worth has nothing to do with the wood.
Etched into the wood is the word “Velkommin,” the Icelandic word for Welcome. I purchased the sign so long ago that I no longer remember where I found it. Gimli, perhaps, in a little shop called Amma’s Tearoom and Gift Shop, unfortunately now permanently closed. Or Riverton. Or Hecla. Or one of the communities further west in Manitoba’s Interlake. One of those.
Back in the day, we never had to explain our sign. We lived in a small rural community with a long history of Icelandic settlement. There were others who had signs like ours.
In the city, however, many visitors comment on the sign. Most people ask what it means. But some of our guests are quick to note the similarity between the Icelandic word and its English counterpart and so correctly guess its meaning.
A couple of years ago, a tradesman did an outdoor repair at our condominium. Once he had finished, he came to our front door for payment.
“I’ll just fill out the receipt,” he said. “That’s your name, right?’ He pointed at the door hanger and started to fill in the receipt with “V…E…L…”
“No,” I said. “That is Icelandic for Welcome. My name is Arksey.” And I spelled it out for him.
The young man was embarrassed. I thought it was funny.
I like my Icelandic welcome sign. I like the fact that, although the spelling is different, ‘come in’ is part of the longer word. Welcome to our home. Come in. I will make some kaffi.
It sounds very Icelandic to me.
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