Languages undergo constant evolution, reflecting cultural and societal changes over time. However, written Icelandic stands out as a unique case where the language has remained remarkably consistent. This stability allows modern Icelanders to read ancient sagas from a thousand years ago with relative ease.

If Leif Ericson were to visit Reykjavik today, he would be able to navigate the city without much trouble, though he might struggle with modern terminology such as "airport" or "quarter-pound cheeseburger." This illustrates how certain elements of language can persist while others adapt to contemporary life.