Archive for 'Uncategorized'
Denmark at the Oscars Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Feb 28, 2013
Did you watch the Oscars last Sunday? This year, many danskere were following the American movie award show with a lot of spænding (excitement). Hvorfor? (Why?) Perhaps you noticed that a Danish film had been nominated in the category ”Best Foreign Language Film”… If you’ve been following this blog, it should be no overraskelse (surprise)…
How to hiccup like a Dane… Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Feb 20, 2013
A non-Dane once left a Danish language course in Copenhagen just a wee bit frustreret (frustrated): How was he ever going to learn a language where you didn’t know whether you were crying mor! (mother!) or mord! (murder!)? However, there is a difference between the two words (and it’s not the d, which in this case is silent)! The first one is pronounced…
10 Danish Mountains You Should Climb Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Jan 20, 2013
One of the first things you’ll notice when going by train or bus in Denmark, is how extremely flat the country is. There are no mountains, only a few hills. The only klipper (rocks) are located on the island of Bornholm, between Sweden and Poland. The rest of Denmark is fladt som en pandekage (flat as a pancake). (Admitted, the Netherlands…
Let’s make frikadeller! Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Jan 9, 2013
Sikke et møgvejr! [SEKeh et MOYvare] What a cr*p weather! The days right now are cold, dark, grey and snowless in Denmark. Fortunately, people here are world champions in the noble art of hygge. The clue is to find de indre glæder (the inner pleasures), and enjoy yourself in the jolly company of others. Let’s open et par øller (a couple…
Be A Dane Without Being There Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Dec 19, 2012
Do you remember Dansksimulatoren, the award-winning Danish-course where you are a virtual person in a virtual Denmark? I had a chat with Thomas K. Hansen from Vejle-based Vifin (Videnscenter for Integration = Knowledge Centre for Integration). Congratulations for having won the European Language Award 2012! How does it feel? It’s quite nice. I think most…
H.C. Andersen Sensation Goes Global Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Dec 15, 2012
What! Suddenly a Danish word is mentioned by media all over the world! 🙂 The word in question is Tællelyset – The Tallow Candle – the name of the supposedly first eventyr (fairytale) from the quill of H.C. Andersen, Denmark’s most famous author of all times. Now, this would certainly have been ”let’s yawn” material if it hadn’t been…
Season of Fruits and Colours Posted by Bjørn A. Bojesen on Oct 27, 2012
The word efterår (autumn/fall) may sound a bit sad or melankolsk in Danish, as the name of the season following sommer and preceding vinter literally means ”after-year”. (On a more optimistic note, spring is forår, ’fore-year’.) But don’t let the language fool you – in spite of less dagslys [DOWslees] (daylight) and falling temperatures, autumn…