Why Do We Learn Swedish? Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 18, 2009 in Culture
“Why bother learning Swedish?” someone asked me recently. “Everybody in Sweden speaks perfect English,” the person continued, “so what’s the point?”
Hmmm… yeah, really?
It’s true that one of the first things that a visitor to Sweden will notice is that almost everyone speaks English here. Maybe not perfect English, but English that is easily understood and very fluent indeed.
I have seen scores of people who had spent time learning Swedish before their first trip here only to arrive sorely disappointed. Whenever they tried to say or ask something in Swedish, the answers came back at them in English.
One travel writer from Arizona, who had been invited to Sweden for a press trip, was quite stressed about her lack of Swedish skills. She didn’t believe me when I told her that she’d be fine speaking only English. She insisted I provide her with some basic phrases and expressions, because she’d been to Europe before, she said, and “none of them spoke any English.” She went to Sweden and I can only assume she had a great time, because she never got in touch with me after that.
It’s true that Swedes speak excellent English. I believe that the fact that their TV programming is not dubbed but subtitled has a lot to do with it. Swedish kids are exposed to English early on, and frankly, they don’t have much choice if they want to watch “The Simpsons”.
Then yeah, why learn Swedish at all? Especially if you’re just visiting the country for a couple of weeks? Or months? After all, it’s not like France or parts of Germany, where without some knowledge of the local lingo you are totally lost (like that lady on the news not so long ago who got locked inside a town hall building for the night in some French village).
If you’re planning to live in Sweden, then it’s a different story. Or is it? I know of people who’ve been living in Sweden for years and the only thing they know how to say is “tack” and “ursäkta mig.”
And that brings me to today’s question. If you don’t mind, could you share with all of us YOUR reasons for learning Swedish?
PS> And yes, a Swedish boyfriend or wife are very good reasons, indeed.
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Comments:
Diana:
My reason for learning swedish I would say is a bit odd. I found it by chance, and feel a special connection with everything about sweden. The language is absolutely magical, the people, traditions, and beautiful scenery just completely speak to me. I feel so at home with it all. It’s become a part of me now. I have no connections other than the ones I’ve formed over the last couple months. It’s indescribable how much sweden has changed my life. Swedish is my number one passion. I’m only 15, but I will be visiting in a couple years as a high school graduation present. I’m so excited! Din blogg är så härlig. Tack för allt du gjort.
Maria Ebbeskog:
If you want to work and live in Sweden you have to be very good at Swedish. You will not get a permanent resident permit before you know Swedish very well. Read more about that on the Swedish immigration website.
Brandon:
Pretty simple really; I wanted to learn another language and Swedish, out of all the European languages, is the one that I liked the most. I am also a fan of Scandinavia culture in general, and to experience some parts of it fully, you really need to know the language. Translations only go so far.