Which Scandinavian Language Should I Learn? 9 Big Reasons To Learn Scandinavian Languages
Which Scandinavian Language Should I Learn? 9 Big Reasons To Learn Scandinavian Languages
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Which Scandinavian Language Should I Learn?
So, you’re thinking of learning a Scandinavian language? Good call – Scandinavia is one of the most beautiful and interesting regions on earth. And for good reason - these languages are growing in popularity and are some of the most fun to learn. But which language should you choose?
In this day and age, it's more important than ever to be able to speak multiple languages. With globalization, the world has become a much smaller place, and being able to communicate with people from other countries has become a valuable skill.
Learning a Scandinavian language is the perfect way to expand your horizons and learn about a new culture.
Once you've learned one of the languages, you'll have access to all the others as well. With so many similarities among them, it's easy to get started with one and then move on to the others. There are plenty of resources available online and in print, so you can get started right away - no need to wait!
In this post, you will discover nine reasons why learning one or all of the Scandinavian languages is a wise decision.
What Are The Scandinavian Languages?
1. Swedish
Swedish is the official language in Sweden. It's a Germanic language that is spoken by around 10 million people. Swedish is a very phonetic language, which means that it's easy to learn to read and pronounce words. The sound of the Swedish language has a very sing-song quality to it, which makes it pleasant to listen to. Swedish is also one of the most common second languages in Finland.
2. Norwegian
Norwegian is the official language in Norway. It's a North Germanic language that is spoken by around 5 million people. Norwegian is similar to Swedish, but it has its own unique dialects and vocabulary.
The two dialects of Norwegian are Bokmål and Nynorsk. Bokmål is the most common form of Norwegian, and it's what you will learn if you take a Norwegian language course. Nynorsk is less common, but it's still used by around 2% of the population. Norwegian is considered one of the easiest languages to learn out of all the Scandinavian languages.
3. Danish
Danish is the official language in Denmark. It's a North Germanic language that is spoken by around 6 million people. Danish is also one of the two official languages of the Faroe Islands, along with Faroese. Danish is slightly harder to learn than Swedish and Norwegian, but it's still considered to be a relatively easy language for English speakers to learn.
4. Finnish
Finnish is the official language in Finland. It's a Finno-Ugric/Uralic language that is spoken by around 5 million people. Finnish is a difficult language to learn, but it’s also one of the most rewarding languages to learn. Finnish is different from the other Scandinavian languages like Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish, as it has a completely different grammar.
5. Icelandic
Icelandic is the official language in Iceland. It's a North Germanic language that is spoken by around 300,000 people. Icelandic is also different from the other Scandinavian languages in that it uses a lot of old Norse words. Icelandic is considered a very difficult language to learn, but it's also one of the most beautiful languages in the world.
Why Learn Scandinavian Languages? 9 Reasons To Learn Scandinavian Languages
1. Spoken worldwide
The Scandinavian languages are spoken in some of the most beautiful countries in the world. These countries include Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. But you don't have to live in one of these countries to learn a Scandinavian language.
In fact, you can find speakers of Scandinavian languages all over the world. There are around 25 million people who speak one or more of the Scandinavian languages, so you're sure to find someone to practice with wherever you go.
2. Scandinavian languages are some of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers
If you're an English speaker, learning a Scandinavian language will be relatively easy for you. This is because most of the Scandinavian languages are from the same family as English.
Swedish, Norwegian and Danish are Germanic languages, which means that they share a lot of vocabulary with English. In fact, around 60% of all English words are from Germanic languages. So if you know English, you already have a head start on learning a Scandinavian language.
3. Scandinavian languages are mutually intelligibility
Scandinavian languages are also mutually intelligible, which means that speakers of one language can understand speakers of another language. This is because the Scandinavian languages are all closely related.
For example, a speaker of Norwegian can usually understand a speaker of Swedish, and vice versa. This mutual intelligibility makes learning multiple Scandinavian languages easier.
4. It enables you to learn other Nordic languages easily
Learning a Scandinavian language will also make it easier for you to learn other Nordic languages. This is because the Scandinavian languages are all closely related.
So if you learn one Scandinavian language, you'll have an easier time learning another. This is good news because you'll have a greater advantage of knowing more than two languages.
5. The sentence structure is similar to English
The sentence structure of Scandinavian languages is also similar to English. This is because both English and the Scandinavian languages are SVO languages. This means that the subject comes first, followed by the verb, and then the object.
For example, in the sentence “I eat an apple”, “I” is the subject, “eat” is the verb, and “an apple” is the object. This sentence structure is different from languages like French and Spanish, which are SOV languages.
In an SOV language, the subject comes first, followed by the object, and then the verb. For example, in the French sentence “Je mange une pomme”, “Je” is the subject, “une pomme” is the object, and “mange” is the verb. This difference in sentence structure can make learning a Scandinavian language easier for English speakers.
6. You can use your new language skills to travel throughout Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a beautiful region of the world, and learning a Scandinavian language will enable you to travel more easily throughout Scandinavia. This is because the Scandinavian countries are all closely related.
So if you learn one Scandinavian language, you'll be able to understand speakers of another Scandinavian language. This will allow you to explore the region in greater depth, making your travels more enjoyable and hassle-free.
7. Immigration to Nordic countries
If you're thinking about immigrating to a Nordic country, learning the language of that country can be a big help. This is because knowing the language will make it easier for you to find a job and integrate into the community. It will also give you a better understanding of the culture and customs of your new home.
8. Scandinavian languages can also be a great asset in your career
If you're looking for a job, learning a Scandinavian language can give you a big advantage. This is because knowing a Scandinavian language can make you more marketable and give you an edge over other job candidates. It can also help you to advance in your career, as many companies are looking for employees who can speak multiple languages.
Scandinavian countries are some of the most economically prosperous in the world, so if you're fluent in a Scandinavian language, you'll have a better chance of landing a job or getting a business contract.
9. Business expansion in Europe
Scandinavian languages can also be helpful if you're doing business in Europe. This is because Scandinavia is a major hub for trade and commerce.
If you're looking to expand your business into Scandinavia, learning a Scandinavian language can give you a big advantage. It will enable you to communicate directly with potential customers and partners, and it will give you a better understanding of the Scandinavian market.
Can All Scandinavians Understand Each Other?
Yes, with the exception of Finnish, which is not part of the Germanic language family like the other Scandinavian languages. Finnish does have close links to Swedish and can be learned relatively easily by a speaker of Swedish or any other Scandinavian language.
The three languages (Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish) are closely related, so speakers of one language can generally understand speakers of the others to some extent. In fact, many Scandinavians can speak more than one of their languages, often using them interchangeably.
Reason being is because they are mutually intelligible, which means that you can understand all of them if you learn one of them. The reason why the Scandinavian languages are so similar to each other is because they all evolved from a common ancestor language called Old Norse.
There are, of course, some differences between the languages. The individual countries have their own distinct dialects, so there may be some nuances that are lost on foreigners. In fact, there is even a Scandinavian language council that helps promote linguistic cooperation between the countries.
In general, though, most Scandinavians can communicate with each other quite easily. If you know one Scandinavian language, you will have little trouble understanding the others.
Which Scandinavian Languages Are Most Alike?
The first question people often ask when they’re considering taking up a new Scandinavian language is, “How similar are the languages?”
There are three Scandinavian languages that are most alike - Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish. They are all derived from Old Norse, and are similar enough that they can be learned relatively easily, but different enough that you will still feel like you're learning a new language.
As such, all three languages share the same grammar structure, both structurally and lexically. They share a common alphabet and many cognates (words that are similar in different languages).
However, there are still some differences between the languages that learning any one of them will offer you a unique language experience. The main difference between the languages is their pronunciation. For the most part, the words are spelled the same in each language, but the pronunciation can vary greatly.
For example, Norwegian and Swedish share more similarities than either does with Danish. This is because Norwegian and Swedish have gone through similar changes since Old Norse. Danish is the most conservative of the three languages, and closest to Old Norse.
Norwegian is somewhat similar to Danish, but has a few more loanwords from English and French. Swedish is the most divergent of the three languages, with many loanwords from German and Italian.
What Are The Differences Between The Scandinavian Languages?
The main differences between the Scandinavian languages are in their pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. For example, Danish has a different alphabet than the other two languages. It also uses the letter Æ (ae) and Ø (oe), which are not used in Norwegian or Swedish.
Danish also has a different pronunciation than the other two languages. For example, the letter 'c' is pronounced like an English 'k', and the letter 'g' is always hard, as in English 'go'. In Norwegian and Swedish, these letters can be either hard or soft, depending on their position in the word.
The grammar of Norwegian and Swedish is more similar to each other than to Danish. For example, both Norwegian and Swedish use the informal 'you' (du in Norwegian, du in Swedish) as well as the formal 'you' (De in Norwegian, Ni in Swedish). Danish only has a single form of 'you', which is always considered formal.
Norwegian and Swedish also have some words that are similar to each other but not to Danish. For example, the Norwegian word for 'please' is vær så snill, while the Swedish word is vara så snäll. The Danish word for 'please' is venligst.
Finally, the Scandinavian languages share the same words for some common objects. For example, the word ‘car’ is bil in Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish.
Which Scandinavian Language Is The Most Different?
Finnish is the most different of the Scandinavian languages. It’s not part of the Germanic language family like Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish. Finnish is actually part of the Finno-Ugric language family, which includes Estonian and Hungarian.
Finnish is not related to the other Scandinavian languages, and has its own unique alphabet. Finnish also has a different pronunciation than the other languages, and its grammar is quite different too.
For example, Finnish does not use gender in its pronouns (he, she) or verbs (to be, to have). Finnish also has a complex system of word case endings, which show the grammatical function of a word in a sentence.
Despite these differences, Finnish is actually quite similar to Swedish in many ways. For example, both Finnish and Swedish use the same word order (subject-verb-object), and they both have a lot of loanwords from Latin and German.
How Difficult Are The Scandinavian Languages To Learn?
The Scandinavian languages are not difficult to learn, but they do have some features that can be challenging for English speakers. For example, the Scandinavian languages have two genders (masculine and feminine), and the articles and adjectives change to agree with the gender of the noun.
In addition, verbs in the Scandinavian languages are conjugated to agree with the subject, and there are many irregular verbs.
Despite these challenges, the Scandinavian languages are not difficult to learn, and most students can reach a basic level of proficiency within a few months of study. With more time and effort, it is possible to achieve native-like proficiency in any of the Scandinavian languages.
Which Scandinavian Language Is Closest To English?
So which of these languages is the closest to English? The answer depends on whom you ask. Some people say that Danish is the closest, while others say that Norwegian or Swedish is closer.
In reality, it's probably fair to say that all three of these languages are quite similar to English, and that anyone who knows one of these languages will have an easier time learning the other two.
All three of these languages are part of the Germanic language family, which means that they share some similarities with German and Dutch. They also have some similarities with Icelandic and Faroese, which are also Germanic languages but are not as closely related to English.
Which Scandinavian Language Is Easiest To Learn For English Speakers?
It is generally agreed upon that Norwegian is the easiest Scandinavian language for English speakers to learn.
Norwegian
Norwegian is the most similar language to English
Norwegian is spoken more slowly than other languages
Norwegian has a simpler grammar than other languages
There are many resources available to learn Norwegian
You can find Norwegian courses in many different countries
Due to the fact that Norwegian is similar to Swedish, which is already a relatively easy language for English speakers to learn. Both languages share many of the same words and grammar rules, so learning one will make it easier to learn the other.
Additionally, there are many resources available online and in print to help you learn Norwegian. If you're looking for an easy Scandinavian language to learn, Norwegian is a great choice.
Which Scandinavian Language Is Hardest To Learn?
Finnish is considered the most difficult Scandinavian language for English speakers to learn.
Finnish
Finnish has a completely different grammar than Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish
Finnish is not mutually intelligible with any other Scandinavian languages
Finnish is a tonal language, which can be difficult to learn
Finnish is considered to be one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn
Finnish is not as popular as some of the other Scandinavian languages
Finnish is a tonal language, which means that the pitch of your voice can change the meaning of words. This can be difficult for English speakers to learn, as we are not used to using pitch in this way. However, if you're looking for a challenge, Finnish may be the language for you.
FSI Ranking Of Nordic Languages
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) is an independent agency of the United States government that provides resources and training for diplomats and other government employees. The FSI has developed a language proficiency scale that is used to rate languages according to their difficulty level.
The FSI rankings are considered to be the most authoritative source when it comes to language difficulty. The rankings are based on how long it takes an English speaker to achieve basic proficiency in a language.
Although the FSI rankings are not perfect, they provide a good general idea of how difficult a language is to learn for English speakers.
Some of the Scandinavian languages are rated as category 1 languages, which means they are considered to be among the easiest languages for English speakers to learn.
Category I
Languages that usually require around 24-30 weeks or 600-750 class hours to reach a B2/C1 level.
Danish
Norwegian
Swedish
Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian are all very similar, so if you learn one of these languages, you will be able to understand the others quite easily.
Category IV
Students usually need around 44 weeks or 1100 class hours to reach a B2/C1 level.
Finnish
Icelandic
Finnish is more difficult to learn than the other Nordic languages for English speakers. This is largely due to the fact that Finnish is a tonal language. Icelandic is also quite challenging, but this is likely due in part to the fact that it is not as closely related to English as the other Nordic languages.
Which Scandinavian Language Is The Most Useful?
The most useful Scandinavian language for English speakers to learn is Swedish.
Swedish
Swedish is the most commonly spoken language in the Nordics
More young people in the Nordics know how to speak Swedish
There are more job opportunities in Sweden than in Norway
Swedish is an easy language to master for English speakers
Swedish is the largest of the Scandinavian languages, spoken by 10 million people. It’s also an official language in Sweden, Finland, and Estonia.
This means that it will be useful if you are planning to travel or work in any of these countries. Additionally, there are many resources available online to help you learn Swedish.
Which Nordic Language Should You Start With?
If you’re trying to decide which Nordic language to learn, there are a few things you should consider.
Your goals
It’s important to think about what your goals are. Are you trying to learn a language for travel, work, or personal enrichment? Are you looking for a new challenge?
Your level of commitment
Are you willing to put in the time and effort required to become proficient in a difficult language like Icelandic or Finnish? If not, then Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian might be a better choice.
Your level of motivation
What is your level of motivation? Are you the type of person who sticks with something even when it gets difficult, or do you give up easily?
Your reason for learning
Are you interested in a particular Nordic country or culture? Perhaps you’re interested in the culture and literature of one of these countries. If so, then it might make sense to learn the language spoken there. For example, if you’re interested in Scandinavian literature, then learning Norwegian or Danish would be a good idea.
Your level of proficiency
If you’re a beginner, then Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian will be the easiest languages for you to learn. If you’re more advanced, then you might want to try a more challenging language like Icelandic or Finnish.
In general, I would recommend starting with Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian if you’re a beginner. These languages are the most similar to English and will be the easiest for you to learn.
Although some might argue and say the best option is to start with Swedish, as it is the most commonly spoken language in the region. Additionally, Swedish is considered to be an easy language for English speakers to learn.
If you’re more advanced or if you are looking for a challenge, then you might want to try Icelandic or Finnish. Finnish & Icelandic are more difficult than the other Nordic languages, but it can be very rewarding to learn.
No matter which language you choose, learning a Nordic language can be a rewarding experience. These languages are rich in history and culture, and they offer many opportunities for travel and work.
Learn A Scandinavian Language With Pimsleur
If you're looking for an effective and fun way to learn a Scandinavian language, look no further than the Pimsleur. Pimsleur is an audio-based language learning program that makes it easy to learn new languages. With Pimsleur, you'll learn how to speak and understand a new language with ease.
With their scientifically-proven method, you can learn the language in as little as 30 minutes a day. With Pimsleur, you'll learn pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar intuitively - without having to slog through tedious textbooks.
With Pimsleur, you'll get:
30-minute audio lessons that are easy to follow and fun to listen to
A personalized learning program that adjusts to your learning speed
The opportunity to practice what you've learned with native speakers in conversation exercises
Detailed lesson summaries so you can track your progress
One of the best things about Pimsleur is that you can learn on your own time. There's no need to commute to class or meet up with other students - Pimsleur is available on desktop or mobile devices, so you can learn anywhere and at any time. Plus, Pimsleur is affordable and there are different levels so you can progress at your own pace.
RELATED: Pimsleur Review: How To Learn Any Language With This Super Easy Method.
In fact, Pimsleur has programs for over 50 different languages! So, whether you're interested in learning Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish or Icelandic, you can choose the language that's right for you, or if you want to learn them all, that's an option too!
No matter what your reason is for wanting to learn a Scandinavian language, Pimsleur can help you achieve your goal. With Pimsleur, learning a new language has never been easier - or more enjoyable! Start learning a Scandinavian language today with Pimsleur!
Conclusion
So, now that you know all the great reasons to learn a Scandinavian language, what's stopping you? Scandinavian languages are fascinating and worth learning for a variety of reasons.
Scandinavian languages are unique and interesting, with many similarities among them. They also have their own individual quirks which make each one different.
With the right tools and resources anyone can become proficient in one (or more) of these tongues. Whether your goal is to be able to converse with locals when traveling in Scandinavia, or if you're looking for an edge in the job market, learning a Scandinavian language can give you the skills and knowledge you need.
And don't forget - these languages are some of the most beautiful and fun ones around! Start learning today and see how quickly your fluency improves.
If you want to learn a Scandinavian language, it's important to know what you’re getting into – they are all unique in their own way. So what are you waiting for? Start learning today!
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Question:
So, here’s the question: Which Scandinavian language are you most interested in learning? Let us know in the comments section down below!
P.S. I want to hear from you today. No for real, get out from behind that keyboard and tell us more about yourself! Use the comment section down below and introduce yourself.
Hey, I’m Mara.
I am the founder and blogger of Sololingual helping anyone at any age, from any place, who wants to learn a new language. You can learn how to reach fluency in your chosen language fast, fun and easily studying a short amount each day and spending very little money using different language learning techniques, programs and resources at your disposal. Fluency isn't difficult to achieve. In fact, it’s easy when you find a solid method that walks you through every step of the way, and believing in yourself so that you can achieve your goal at becoming fluent in any language.
