Swedish Language Blog

Understanding a culture, and ultimately the language I think it is important to be all round aware/educated in different things. As a person who has grown up in Sweden you just know things. Different phases in your life have given you different cultural baggage.

On this blog we try to give you as many different perspectives on Sweden, Swedish and what is Swedish.

Today I thought I’d introduce a figure who is quite well known, his name is Alfons Åberg. He is a character from a children’s book written by Gunilla Bergström. There are games, books and TV series about Alfons. This book, as you can tell by the quality of the animation is quite old, but none the less still a wonderful children’s show.

Ultimately the author’s main point is to introduce children to different customs, proverbs and Swedish sayings. As it is aimed at younger children the speed of the films/episodes aren’t that fast making it an ideal language practice opportunity.

There is also a lot of insight into Sweden as it was during the 70’s or 80’s. In all an interesting program worth spending a couple of minutes on, practicing your Swedish.

Up until the century 1000, the people of Sweden believed in Norse paganism, but the country was then Christianized, forcing everyone to convert to Roman Catholicism. This lasted until the 1500′s, when Protestant Lutharanism took over after what is known as the Protestant Reformation. Lutheranism was then the official religion of Sweden, though foreigners visiting Sweden were not imprisoned for differing beliefs, as long as they were low-profile.

In the 1700s, it became legal to practice other religions in Sweden, however not until the mid-1800′s could Lutherans convert to another faith, and when they finally could, it had to be another Christian one. Not until 1951 did full freedom of religion become legal, and at the turn of the millenium the Lutheran Church of Sweden (Svenska kyrkan) was finally separated from the state.

(Note: The religious history of the Sami people in midwest and northern Sweden, however, was much less complicated. They had a sort of shamanistic religion, but this was replaced by Lutheranism in the 1600′s and 1700′s by Swedish missionaries.)

Today, around 70% of Sweden’s population are members of the Church of Sweden, but according to research, only about 2% actively attend Sunday mass. This is in part due to a rule in place until 1996 that made all children born of parents who were members in the Church of Sweden, members themselves. Every year the percentage of the Swedish population in the Church of Sweden sinks between 1-2%.

Other than Christianity, the population of believers of Islam is ever increasing due to high levels of asylee immigration from Islamic countries; approximately 5-6% of Sweden is Muslim, but according to surveys and other studies, less than 1% practice fully (by attending Friday prayer, etc.).

The number of people who actually believe in the religion they associate themselves with, however, is proven to be very low, especially within the Church of Sweden. Many see the Church as a national identity rather than a faith. Depending on what different people call faith, somewhere between 46% and 85% of Sweden is non-religious.

(Sources: WebArchive for Pitzer College, Sydsvenskan, Wikipedia.)

Since I am stuck in bed with a nasty bug today, I will ruthlessly steal this brilliant list from the always equally brilliant page The Local. 10 Swedish words that you won’t find in English (click here for the full story). I have written about this topic before, missing simple words like bakfylleångest (hangover anxiety), kissnödig (in need of a wee) and träningsvärk (achy muscles after a work out) -words that pretty much speak for themselves. This list is slighty different, but boy do we use most of these words in the Swedish daily language. In other words, get a paper and a pen and take notes, friends!

1. Orka
This verb is a tremendously common word in the Swedish language meaning “to have the energy.
Ex: Jag orkar att gå uppför trapporna (I have the energy to walk up the stairs)

2. Harkla
It’s used to describe that little coughing noise one makes, often before giving a speech or dislodging cinnamon bun pieces from their throat.
Ex: Jag måste harkla mig! (I must dislodge something from my throat!)

3. Hinna
This is an enormously common verb in Swedish, meaning “to find the time” or “to be on time”.
Ex: Hoppas att jag hinner till tåget! (Hopefully I will make it to the train in time!)

4. Blunda
To close your eyes, or to turn a blind eye.
Ex: Blunda så ska du få en överrraskning! (Close your eyes and you will get a surprise!)

5. Mysa
We almost have this in English with the word snuggle, but if you’re gonna be mysering in Swedish, you can do it with someone, alone, or even in a café – perhaps “to cosy up” fits the bill.
Ex: Ikväll ska jag mysa framför tv:n! (Tonight, I will cosy up in front of the telly!)

6. Vabba
This is becoming increasingly popular in Sweden, and is short for Vård Av Barn (meaning “to be at home because the children need taking care of, but you get paid for it from the government”). In fact, Swedes have even taken to calling February “Vabruary” due to such common child sicknesses.

7. Duktig
Anyone who has learnt Swedish will have heard this one by encouraging Swedes. It means “good at it”, or “talented at it”.
Ex: Du är så duktig på att prata svenska! (You are really good at speaking Swedish!)

8. Jobbig
In terms of common words, you can’t spend a day in Sweden without coming across this word. It can mean troublesome or trying, annoying or difficult, about people, things, events – almost anything. It’s a real all-encompassing word.
Ex: Matte är så himla jobbigt! (Maths is so very difficult!)

9. Gubbe/Gumma
Here is a two-for-one package meaning “old man/old lady” and rather endearingly – that is, if you’re saying them in an affectionate voice. In fact, they can be coupled with “lilla gubben” to mean “little guy” for a boy, or “lilla gumman” for a girl.
Ex: Hon är en söt liten gumma (She is a cute little old lady)

10. Mormor/farmor/morfar/farfar
As well as being a tongue twister for the rookie Swedish learner, this combination is a brilliant selection of words we desperately need in English. These are the words for your grandparents – (Mothermother, fathermother, motherfather, fatherfather).

Gingerbread gubbe and gumma!