March 20, 2010
Published: 20 Jan 10 11:28 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/24482/20100120/
Dictionary tool Double click on a word to get a translation
Where did the English language come from? Why has it become the world’s most widespread means of communication? What will happen in the future? Keith Foster, host of a new Swedish TV series, travels the world in search of answers.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt retains his position at the top of the party leader board in a new survey on voter confidence while support for opposition leader Mona Sahlin continues to decline. READ (2 COMMENTS) »
In the first case of its kind in Sweden, a Stockholm court has found two men guilty of human trafficking after they lured two teenage boys from their home in Romania to a life of crime. READ (2 COMMENTS) »
Sweden’s convicted double murderer Annika Östberg Deasy, who is due to be released in May 2011, has been moved from a female prison to a rehabilitation centre where she will work at a day nursery for dogs. READ »
Swedish tennis ace Robin Söderling defeated Britain's Andy Murray on Friday to claim a semi-final place against Andy Roddick in the Indian Wells Masters 1000. READ »
Glenn Ikonen, a member of Sweden's Paralympic curling team, has been issued with a two-year suspension for failing a drugs test as his teammates secure their place in the finals in Vancouver. READ »
Sweden's justice minister Beatrice Ask wants families to know if their husbands or fathers are suspected of buying sex in order to shame them into curbing their errant behaviour. READ (41 COMMENTS) »
Travellers between Sweden and the UK face delays and cancellations this weekend due to a strike by British Airways cabin crew, with three out of five flights from Stockholm to London cancelled on Sunday. READ »
The first of the Stieg Larsson Millenium trilogy films, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, has opened to resounding reviews from US critics and audiences not known for cherishing obscure subtitled films from Scandinavia. READ (23 COMMENTS) »
"Recently I’ve been thinking of how much mental space we could create if we collectively agreed to get rid of stereotypes. All of those small compartments we walk around with in our heads would suddenly be cleared away and we’d feel so much lighter. Just think of all of that space for real new perceptions..." READ »
Jobs - in Sweden, in English
Get your career on track with our job listings from Sweden's top employers.
Property - renting or buying in Sweden
Navigating the minefield of renting or buying an apartment or house in Sweden.
Weather
"There is no bad weather, just bad clothes," say the Swedes. Here's the forecast for everyone else.
Introducing...
Every week The Local serves up a spicy helping of Swedish celebrity for your delectation.
Stockholm Syndrome
Tales of crazy Swedish classes, hamfisted attempts to understand - and explain - real Swedes, and varied experiences of fellow foreigners gathered for your amusement.
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
0 jobs in Sweden, in English
0 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
I wonder if they will go into the old Anglo-Saxon and other influences.
As far as the next world language goes, Josh Whedon had a crack at making Chinese co-star with English in the Firefly SF series. The actors spoke English but every so often broke out into Chinese curses. I'm told Chinese speakers found it very funny.
Firefly was brilliant.
Good article and will now be a regular reader of The Local.
Best wishes to all in Sweden
Brittish domination goes back a long time. The series start at SVT2 on 22 january at 19.30.
I think you might be able to view this online via rapport.se website. There is an a-ö selection to chose from. It should be under the letter F. I will look at it if is uploaded on their website. May not be available on the day of broadcasting, but a day later or so.
The many powers that conquered England (or regions), the Romans, Vikings, Normans and Celts, among others, enriched the stew.
According to him when they wanted to decide which language should become the official language - they took at vote and English won by the votes of just 3 people.
It could be an old legion - but it is worth checking out in more detail.
I wish they would have spoke Swedish(I would have learned more at a younger age), because in Minneapolis the Swedish-American population was very abundant and vibrant. There are still plenty of Minnesotans who speak and love Sweden though!!
When I studied in Sweden I was also asked to do interviews and help write some stories for English language books for Swedish high school students! It was a great experience!
Spanish is not that fast growing language is the world. English is the fastest growing language in the world and that will be accelerated by the exponential global growth of the internet.
The reality that everyone in the world will be able to speak English (plus their mother tongue) in the not-so-distant future is a good thing. Communication is King!
A German diplomat [or similar] once told me in Turkey that 3 votes separated the USA from speaking English rather than German!!
Strange, I was told by a French man that it was 3 votes between English and French, after all it was the French that had their armies in the US not the germans.
However I do think that Europe should have a common language just like over things within Europe. But can anyone see that happening.
I am also under the impression that the United States as a country does not have an official language. The vote between German and English was a vote for the language of Government.
Some loophole like that, which allows some public schools to teach things like Mathematics and Science in Spanish rather then English. Which if you ask me is both a waste of tax payer money and harmful to the individuals learning. Great, you learned math and science...too bad you suck at English and this is America, so go pick the grapes at our California Vineyards and we'll continue to perpetuate the poverty.
This is of course Sweden....why without Swedish your refugee's will fail and continue to feed off Government...And I apologize for the tangent.