Archive by Author
Swedish names Posted by Katja on Mar 8, 2012
The naming of your child in Sweden is a process that actually has to go through the Swedish tax agency. Recently unusual names have become the norm. Names for girls like Elin, Anna, Hanna, Sofie, Lisa, Felicia and Moa have just in the past year been substituted for 1200 new girls’ names and 1000 new…
Long and short vowel sounds: Final part Posted by Katja on Mar 1, 2012
To measure is “mäta” and to be filled (food wise) is “mätta” though the word is more commonly found in the form of “mätt”. “Jag vill mäta min längd, jag kanske har blivit längre” (“I want to measure my hight, I might have gotten taller”). “Jag känner mig mätt och belåten”. (I’m feeling very content…
Long and short vowel sounds: second part Posted by Katja on Feb 23, 2012
To continue explaining the confusing words that the Swedish language is filled with, why don’t we start with the two common words: “vila” and “villa”. “Vila” means to rest, and “villa” is a house. “Det ska bli skönt att vila lite” (“It’s going to be nice to have a little rest”) “Har du köpt en…
Long and short vowels in Swedish: The a-sound Posted by Katja on Feb 16, 2012
“Long or short vowel sound, does it really matter? I bet it doesn’t” I’m sure you’re thinking. But oh how wrong that would be. Because Swedish is full of tricky words that become completely different words if you mispronounce them. In this post I’ll just take up what you will be saying if you mispronounce…
Slickepott – The rubber scraper Posted by Katja on Feb 8, 2012
Ok, so I thought of another kitchen utensil which can be found in almost all Swedish house holds. I don’t know who invented this one, so it may very well not be a Swedish invention. That does not stop swedes from using it religiously however. Kids love to help out with baking, wanting to clean…
IKEA gets sued by 5-year old girl’s family for discrimination? Posted by Katja on Feb 2, 2012
In Sweden it isn’t very common that people go round suing each other. But Monday this week the incident about the girl with a chromosome disorder who wasn’t let into the ball room due to “safety reasons” according to (Malmö’s) IKEA manager, was brought up again. The 5-year old girl was not allowed into the…
The cheese slicer – Osthyvel Posted by Katja on Feb 1, 2012
Do you know what this is? In Swedish it is called an Osthyvel. It’s called a cheese slicer. This is in fact a Norwegian invention by Thor Bjørklund, who in 1925 is said to have been given cheese on a slice of bread for lunch. The had cheese melted before he had had a chance…