> Two distinct languages might be mutually intelligible
> It has been very conservative to Old Norse, possibly even more so than modern Icelandic.
Interesting. Note that mutual intelligibility is not symmetrical. Yes, Icelandic is very similar to ON in writing, but in pronunciation it changed a lot. Not sure how close Elfdalian is to it.
> Are you saying that French and Spanish speakers are "petty" for not naturally understanding each other?
> It has been very conservative to Old Norse, possibly even more so than modern Icelandic.
Interesting. Note that mutual intelligibility is not symmetrical. Yes, Icelandic is very similar to ON in writing, but in pronunciation it changed a lot. Not sure how close Elfdalian is to it.
> Are you saying that French and Spanish speakers are "petty" for not naturally understanding each other?
No, no, I'm referring to the more nuanced divisions/dialects. Something like this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Italy#/media/File...
Or the Langues d'Oil between their geographical neighbours.
> You do realize native Spanish speakers don't magically understand spoken Portuguese or Catalan, right?
But Portuguese speakers do understand Spanish better ;) http://spanishlinguist.us/2013/05/the-lopsided-mutual-intell...