Which of these languages is closer to the now extinct Gothic language?

Question

Standard German or Icelandic?

Answer 1

Taivo's classification is correct. But the fact that these represent three distinct branches of Germanic does not necessarily mean they must all be "equidistant" from each other, esp. when comparing two or three specific languages across the groups.

In fact, there are many arguments for drawing a closer connection between the North & East Germanic branches. (And, more specifically, many argue a close connection between Gothic and the North Germanic language "Old Gutnish")

Hence Gothic MAY be a BIT closer to Icelandic (a North Germanic language) than to Modern High German (a West Germanic language). But others would point to things that connect East and WEST Germanic. . . so its best not to be too dogmatic.

Answer 2

Neither is closer. Germanic divided into three groups--North, East and West. Standard German is a West Germanic language, Icelandic is a North Germanic language, and Gothic is an East Germanic language. So Icelandic, Standard German, and Gothic are all equidistant from one another. So while Icelandic and Gothic will share some features, Standard German and Gothic will share other features.

Answer 3

surely Icelandic...

Answer 4

If a language is extinct it doesn't exist, therefore nothing is close to it. See, nothing is close to nothing.