Is English becoming too prevalent in Sweden?
The Local is not responsible for the content of blog comments.
The BBC sends a reporter to Sweden to seek out voices in the great language debate.
Says Swedish singer Samson for President:
“I do not believe in some sort of fascist regime where you protect the Swedish and exclude international cultures, I do not think that you are supposed to only be allowed to sing in Swedish about Karl-Åke that dances on some bridge somewhere in the archipelago.”
But not everyone is enamoured with the onward march of the English language. Read the article for more.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:53 am
When you can see Swedish comedians being very funny in English in an Irish pub in Gamla Stan it is too late to stop English everywhere else.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:28 am
During the last 30 years i’ve noticed that English has been creeping into European languages. started with a few motos on jeans pockets and now has entered into all facets of advertising. I’ve noticed a lot of newpaper headlines with English intelaced with local language.
A joke about 15 years ago started with a French, paragraph with Spanish and English thrown in and ended up scrambled to German. Now its all English
Its all Microsoft’s Michael Jackson’s , Madonna’s and Bonaza reruns faults.
November 20th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I guess if God hadn’t confused all of the languages at Babel maybe we could have killed each other off sooner.
November 30th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
I for one welcome our new English speaking overlords!
December 24th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Too bad English is no longer taught or spoken in the U.S.
Written correspondence resembles text messages from a twelve year old, and everyone under the age of 30 tries to emulate ghetto rappers with 3rd Grade educations.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
there must be a globle language to communicate this globe. so far english is the global language so every one must know englihs.
thanks
Imran Shahid
January 4th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
I’m just glad. Like many English natives I have no language skills and am totally dependent on the awesome ability of Swedes to speak English, and I have found that my grammar has improved from speaking to them.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Sure, well French used to be the dominant language. Actually 15% of the words in Swedish are french…(and 50% in English !!!) so why not.
Soon it might be Chinese anyway.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I must say, after 300 applications for a job and still being jobless, that the Swedes are doing really great with ‘protecting’ their own languages. Unfortunately, most company forgot one thing.. that English is THE business language all over the world, followed with Spanish and Mandarin.
Whether the Swedes like it or not.. English is coming…. !!!!
January 12th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Since when has English EVER been taught or spoken in the US or Canada?
January 19th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Why are we so defensive about provincial langauges? Is it a lingering vestige of tribalism? There is only one purpose for any language, and that is to be a mode of communication between people. If English serves that purpose better, why not? As another has pointed out, it may as well be Chinese. Objectively, English is clearly superior to any other language- currently- as a mode of communication among the billions on the planet. Some regional languages may be better for local communications within a small place such as “Sweden” or “Turkey” but that’s not the direction Humanity is evolving in, is it?
And English itself is a complex linguistic blend of proto-Germanic and Latin, with many other elements. “Mukluk”, “Canyon” “Sushi”, “Algebra” and “Swami” are English words taken from around the world, and you never hear of Anglophones wanting to remove “foreign” words from their language, the way- ahem- the French and others have done. English embraces everything that comes to it. So perhaps it would be easier if “English” was simply named “Humanity Standard” or something like that. I think Swedes would not fuss at all if they were all required to speak “Humanity Standard.”
January 23rd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Yes English is too prevalent. Learn from the Catalonians and take your language back. Swedish culture has suicidal tendencies.
January 29th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
u so rite DaveinCalifornia!
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:43 am
I think it is sad that English is replacing the languages of many countries like Sweden. You MUST embrace your own language, teach the young to respect it and never accept English to replace any of the world’s great languages. Once you do this, you will never turn back the hands of time. Speak SWEDISH ONLY in Sweden!!
February 4th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Chinese is too hard for many people. It’s a tone language. The same word gets different meanings depending on how the tone changes. The writing system is hard to learn, too.
English is the result of Norman men-at-arms trying to make dates with Saxon wenches. Saxon grammar was simplified by the need to talk to Danish immigrant (recently invading) neighbors.
It’s further messed up by the fact that for centuries the prestige language in England was French. If you’re showing off by using a foreign word you don’t mess with the spelling. The habit has persisted. We don’t always transliterate loan words.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:48 am
English will never stop being a major factor when it comes to languages, its either most languages translate to english, or they deviate to english to suit the larger audience. what do you expect when most of the world youths today are american wannabes.
February 13th, 2010 at 6:50 am
I appreciate being able to read the Swedish news in English. I must thank the bi-lingual Swedish citizens who make it possible. Has any one considered this question, “In countries that have a large percentage of their population speaking two languages, are those countries more peaceful, with less crime and less inclination to be domineering or imperialistic toward others ?”
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
DaveinCalifornia, you speak the truth. I live in the EU currently and for the past few years, I have been discovering consistantly that the European natives speak English 100 times better than the youth of America. Actually, better than 90% of Americans. I was schooled in America and during my dialogue with many English speaking EU nationals, my English grammar & usage has improved, lol!
I agree that Sweden should make efforts to not lose it’s indigenous tool of communication. I don’t want the entire world to speak English. It’s very important to maintain variety and differences. Although, I do appreaciate Swedish people using English as a tool to establish an understanding when communicating, if the two parties find that English is the common denominator at the time of verbal discourse. People who are fluent in multiple languages are very skilled and benefit everyone.
Sweden and any other countries really don’t have to worry about losing cultural identity due to the English language influence & usage into the individual societies. The Swedish language will never cease to exist nor be replaced by English entirely. It’s purely an individual choice compounded by the ability to learn a secondary language. It also starts at home. Parents are a major driving force in retaining their mother-tongue with their children.
Let’s not forget, The English language did not orignate in America. English is older than U.S.A. Furthermore, people from all over the world live in America and use their native language in their homes, but use English to communicate with everyone else in America.
Language is a tool. Don’t let it become a patriotic issue. It’s just noise coming out of your mouth and after your very last day of speaking, worms will replace it. And that language EVERYONE will speak!
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:23 pm
This “Samson for President” fellow is typical of all that is wrong with politically correct drivel in Europe these days. With left-wing fools like this who seem to hate his own culture and faun over foreigners its no wonder the Swedish culture and language is dying, and English is taking over everywhere.
I am absolutely fed up with spineless lefties like this who consider any form of patriotism or linguistic pride fascist or racist, I believe Europeans need to fight pathetic leftites like this. People like this commie absolutely make my blood boil, yet Swedish youth are more and more developing this attitude. No wonder Islamists view Northern Europe as easy pickings when the native people have no respect for themselves.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:40 am
I am an American with Swedish roots. We visit Stockholm every year. I love Sweden. It frightens me that English and American culture is overwhelming Sweden. I was raised on old Sweden but I love the modern culture and style of Sweden. Thanks for being you!
March 3rd, 2010 at 7:15 pm
@beeker
Please, don’t blame the Bonanza reruns!
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Here in Canada we have had excellent English instruction, except in Quebec where learning English is not taught well or at all in the French school boards.
The language laws are designed to promote the French language for fear of English creeping in and the language laws are designed to preserve jobs for the French and not the English-speaking population. It is a form of fascism.
English is the lingua franca world wide, and that has to be a good thing.
At the Olympic winter games, Ms. Norberg and her team could understand the Canadian curlers led by Cheryl Bernard, but the Canadians couldn’t understand Swedish. Sweden got the gold in women’s curling after coming up from behind on the scoreboard, and I can’t help but think that in a game of strategy having a means of communicating that the other side can’t understand has to be a good thing. The Norwegians too could do the same, and that game on the men’s curling was a close run thing for the Canadian team, as was its game against the Swedish team. Sweden is an outward looking country, whereas Quebec is an inward looking province that has to be supported by the other, English-speaking provinces through an inane equalization program run by the federal government. Finally, as an owner of two Saab 9-5s, let us all pray for the success of a revitalised Saab.
March 8th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
When I was at breakfast at a hotel in Stockholm, some business people filled in the other places at my table. Once they learned I was from the US they proceeded to speak in English rather than Swedish.
I thought this action was incredibly polite and have vowed to learn more Swedish. It’s just that when I try to speak Swedish, Swedes look at me as if I am as dumb as a mushroom without magic!
March 9th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
I think it is important to preserve the Swedish language, and I have found most people more than willing to speak English but to discriminate on this basis is wrong. As mentioned, English is a language that is constantly evolving and adopting words and structure from other languages as it spreads, it never rejects change and I believe that this is a large part of the reason for its popularity. I am not an ambassador of the English language, I do my best to use what Swedish skills I have and in no way do I wish to force my language on anybody else. But it seems that Swedish detractors of the English language think that English is being forced upon them. I think quite the opposite is true. The growth of English is a natural progression which stems from the technological age in which we live, it is to a large extent consumer driven and there is little that can be done to stop it.
March 13th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
@Bob. English is also a hard language to learn, and really makes no sense. I will translate what you have said into a way that would be spelled in most languages.
“Chinese is too hard for many people. It’s a tone language. The same word gets different meanings depending on how the tone changes. The writing system is hard to learn, too.
English is the result of Norman men-at-arms trying to make dates with Saxon wenches. Saxon grammar was simplified by the need to talk to Danish immigrant (recently invading) neighbors. It’s further messed up by the fact that for centuries the prestige language in England was French. If you’re showing off by using a foreign word you don’t mess with the spelling. The habit has persisted. We don’t always transliterate loan words.”
Chainis es tu hard for meni pipel. Ets e ton lenguej. The sem werd gets defrent minengs dipending an hau the ton chenjes. The raeteng sestem es hard tu lern tu. Englesh es the risalt av Normen men et arms traieng tu mek dets weth sexan wenches. Sexan gremer was semplefaed bae the nid tu tolk tu denesh emigrent (risentli enveding) nebers. Ets ferther mesd ap bae the fect thet for senchuris the prestij lenguej en englend was french. Ef yor showeng awf bae iuseng e faren werd yu dont mes weth the speleng. The hebet hes persested. Wi dont awlweis trensleteret lon werds.
March 18th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
I find it fascinating that I found this debate on your site. We are having the same debate in the US. While it is true that the language of commerce has changed over time, 2000 years ago it was greek then latin when Rome was at its peak and as was pointed out for a while french and now english. But, I believe that if I visited Sweden then it should be up to me to learn enough Swedish to at least order my room, food, and ask directions. So, I understand the frustration of those who see english creeping in and ‘forcing’ Swedes to learn english. There are many areas in the states, like parts of Miami, San Diego and LA where you can not order lunch unless you know spanish. I think all countries should keep their own cultures in tact and that includes their language.
March 30th, 2010 at 11:38 am
French used to be the diplomatic language of the world from 1700s to around 1945. English is corporate language of the new global business world. I predict in the next 15-20 years that English will be the second national language in Sweden.
I lived here (Göteborg) for 11 years and noticed a big change since then.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:37 pm
I feel honored to be an overlord of the Swedish people.
Thank you once again for your support. I shall be Queen of Sweden soon I understand so I will give everyone on the day of my coronation a week off of work with pay (I hope their employers can afford it). I hope all my subjects will have a great time with recreation and parties which, unfortunately, due to our shaky economy they will have to pay for themselves.
We (the Royal We) wish you all the best!
Queen Fortuna the Magnanimous-Foreigner and her Consort, Swen the Great-Swede
April 10th, 2010 at 3:54 am
Your blog is very interesting. I want to thank all the people I met in Sweden who talked to me and my sisters in English because we don’t know Swedish. We had a wonderful visit to your country and found the house our grandfather lived in when he was young. My grandfather moved from Karlska to the US when he was young We were fortunate enough to have two gentlemen from Karlskrona who took us to many places. I plan on going to sweden again because of the kind and helpful people we met. Also I have had two exchange students from Sweden and that was a great experience. Thanks again for being such a friendly country. A great place to visit.
April 18th, 2010 at 9:42 am
I think it is sad that it is. I am Australian and lived in Sweden a few years ago. I tried to learn Swedish by talking to people in Swedish, but found they were more often than not, way too happy to speak in English. Especially with a native speaker, and as many Swedes said, even happier to speak with someone who has an accent other than British or American. That seems to fascinate you guys. But it seems the same the world over. Go to France. A few years ago, no one admitted to speaking that lower language, English, now all the kids do… especially if they know you are not American or, god forbid, English. On the back of Windows, CNN, Hollywood and Hip Hop, English marches on.
I’d love to talk more Swedish, it would be like I am in some secret club, filled gorgeous blonde women!
April 20th, 2010 at 11:48 am
I will stick my bits worth in now. Im moving to Sweden latter in the year and im making every effort i can (which is limited, learning Swedish in England is tricky) to learn Swedish. I really am grateful when in Sweden that so many people speak better English than I do, this makes life quicker. However, long term i believe it is a moral obligation to learn the language of your hosts. That English is more prevalent is irrelevant many people throughout the world speak two languages. Take the already mentioned example of Catalonia where people speak Catalan and Spanish, or the former Soviet Union where people spoke a local language and also Russia. Granted this examples cause much friction, but people along border regions in Europe speak many languages, surely bilingualism from the youngest possible age is a skill to be most sought after.
April 21st, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Americans use too many colloquialisms with conversation. The Swedes use the Queens english when speaking. Easy to understand and they sound intelligent. Doesn’t hurt to have those nice accents too.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
As an American living in Sweden, I’m grateful. It makes it nice to get along in the shops, but also a bit difficult to learn Swedish for a job as most Swedes speak better English than native speakers.
April 30th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Bingo! to DaveinCalifornia. What’s scary is that these 3rd grade education morons are going to be our social security some day, if they have a job.
May 2nd, 2010 at 1:56 am
The English language, or any common language enables great things to happen to a countries economy, the proliferation of knowledge, in peace and in times of crisis brings people together. So promote speaking of native and international languages…wait…sweden already does. What a mental article.
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Jeez people!
Its all relative. Swedish and English have so many similarities. Its like a child going back to its parent. The parent shouldn’t abandon the child either. I think the two can coexist without taking over the other.
And what about the Rune language. Many Swedes do not know it. Few can write it. I believe the Swedish government should make this language mandatory to learn in school so it won’t die out and be forgotten. This kind of makes it ironic when Swedes talk about English taking over. Swedish took over the Rune language.
I went through years of paying for textbook Swedish courses when in the end I realized much of the more formal and old fashioned Swedish wasn’t even used. I regret not spending that money on conversation courses.
I have never been good at languages. I always learn them half way. So I can read Spanish, French, Swedish and some German but I don’t speak these languages.
I would like to learn Swedish after so many years here but I probably need to go to an extreme Swedish language camp or something or to a village with only 70 plus year old people in it.I can read and translate Swedish but I can’t speak it so well. Most Swedes can’t understand me when I try to speak it or think I am saying something weird hehe!
I do not think Swedes should be fascist about their language. In the USA in our southern states Spanish is an official second language so its mandatory that a lot of legal documents are translated to Spanish.
I DO think the Swedish government should crack down on employers who use Swedish as a trump card to deny people they don’t like employment. Swedes are making incredible salaried in Great Britain and the USA. Why not let us make a livable salary here? Its only fair.
May 19th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Languages are like essential vessels to keep a body alive. National languages and identies should be protected at any expense required.
On the other hand, Turkish and Swedish are not to be confused. Swedish is spoken only in Sweden, but Turkish is spoken by hundreds of millions of people, from the Adriatic coast to the Chinese Great Wall.
May 22nd, 2010 at 12:02 pm
I have travelled back and forward to Sweden (Malmo and Stockholm) for many years through business. Because of this I made a real effort to learn Swedish and wherever possible tried to use it when in restaurants, shops etc. Almost all the time I tried I was answered in English. While this worked out OK for me, the shop assistants and waiters would say that they wanted to practice their English and thought they were doing me a favour.
Keep your language, Sweden – it’s one of the many things I love about you!
May 29th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Why won’t Germans (in Germany) respond to someone if they do not speak German to them, and even if spoken to in English and having understood it?
Because when one is in Deutschland, one is supposed to speak Deutsch, and Deutschen take too much pride in their language. It’s very simple :)
June 7th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I think english is a nice language and pretty easy to speak. I also believe that it is a nice language to communicate and to use universaly and a mediator between different languages. But it is not really the language that matters, but the message itself, I think.
June 10th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Whilst English is widely spoken, it is rarely spoken well (even in England). What is remarkable about anglophone Swedes is how good they are at speaking idiomatic English – with barely a hint of an accent. The same can be said of the Netherlands too. My new neighbours in the UK are just over from Stockholm and speak fantastic English : I wish I could manage some Swedish in return. Maybe I should pop down to Ikea…
June 18th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
It seems to have escaped all of you that God is English. It is recorded that a notice at the entrance to Heaven states, ‘If you are English please enter…. others must ring the bell at the side entrance and await the decision of St Peter.’
Before you declare war….. I’m Just kidding.
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:55 am
English is important for international relations..business..but never forget our mother tongue. Its the root of the nation, identity of the country. proud,pride..etc. Proficiency in foreign language is an asset.
July 7th, 2010 at 1:52 am
Ja, das ist überall.
July 14th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
The english language has a big problem. It looks like the people who made its writting did not hear that the alphabet was invented. It would be a pity to have a language with such an absurd writting sistem as the intenational way to comunicate. They should first introduce the english language to the alphabet.