The Norse languages are a group of North Germanic languages that were spoken by the people of Scandinavia during the Viking Age and beyond. These languages include Old Norse, which is the ancestor of modern Scandinavian languages such as Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian. Old Norse was used in various forms across different regions, leading to the development of distinct dialects. Over time, as the Viking influence spread, these languages evolved and adapted, resulting in the rich linguistic heritage that exists in Scandinavia today.