A great part of the grammar is related and much of the vocabulary will look like English.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'autolingual_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',112,'0','0'])); The two languages do, in fact, share a great deal of history, which explains many of these similarities. The extra letters are æ ø å. There are a lot of cognates between Danish and English. That number is based on intensive classroom learning, while following FSI’s program to the letter. Pronunciation. The biggest limiting factor in speaking the Danish language is in fact the Danes themselves. The grammar has some similarities to that of English, which technically makes it one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. Or they’ll mention their foreign neighbor or evoke how the tourists in Copenhagen mispronounce common words. Stød, or the glottal stop can be described as suddenly closing off your breath while pronouncing a word, cutting it short. Here are some Danish phrases to start you on your way. It is not generally harder than languages like German, French … Hard to pronounce. In addition, if you have a smart phone or tablet you can use Google Translate as needed. The Danish language is certainly not one of the prettiest sounding languages in the world. This means that you must say the last number before you say the first. So according to FSI, Danish is not the biggest challenge in the world. Words sound … Then there’s German, which takes 25% longer than Danish to learn, Hindi and Russian take something like twice as long to learn and languages like Arabic or Chinese take a whooping 4 times longer than Danish. While the vocabulary and grammar are quite easy to master, the pronunciation in Danish has a bit of a reputation. And why would anyone expect tourists to pronounce languages they don’t know correctly? It is difficult learning Danish. Watch something Danish. In this post, we break down some factors that make Spanish difficult—and some that make it super easy—to learn. Or they’ll mention their foreign neighbor or evoke how … (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Attempting to learn any foreign language can be a difficult undertaking. When you’re learning Danish, you get used to these new ideas and … So go for it! See how we do it. Well – you need to take the number “600 hours” with a grain of salt. Firstly, there are only 6 million Danish speakers in the world. According to The Foreign Service Institute, the Danish language is a “category 1” in terms of the amount of time needed to learn it. You also get BONUS Audio Lessons here at DanishClass101. Although not technically "language", be forewarned that the Danish numbering system can be difficult to master. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It can be in your own country, or in Denmark at a summer school. It is generally spoken more quickly and more softly than other Scandinavian languages. Yes, we have crowned Danish as the least hard of the hardest languages. Intimidatig vowels via Wikimedia / Wikimedia. Students unanimously agreed that pronunciation was the biggest challenge involved in learning Danish. Danish is also flatter and more monotonous than English. While the written language isn’t too tough to figure out, the spoken language is a … This of course can be very frustrating for anyone who is trying to learn Danish, but it can be very comforting to anyone who simply wants to have a conversation without the misunderstandings. It can be a little distracting, but with some practice you will get used to it. All of these things are mostly just words. Not only do they tend to be able to speak English, but they're also very willing to use it. In fact, Norwegian and Swedish took the top two spots. Learn Danish twice as fast with your FREE gifts of the month including PDF lessons, vocabulary lists and much more! But his Danish was above functional. This sounds like quite the challenge, but you’ve actually faced the problem before: If you want to check out what Danish sounds like, try listening to these short dialogues I recorded. Learning Danish will probably always be an ongoing process,” says Norkka. It should also be mentioned that Danes also have difficulties in understanding each other. If you started last year, you could have been fluent today! Watch the below video, to get a better idea of the stød in Danish: Another problem is that Danes are known for speaking in a weirdly monotone manner. Add to that the fact that most words are only pronounced in half, leaving out many of the letters that make them up.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'autolingual_com-box-4','ezslot_5',114,'0','0'])); There’s a huge difference between how Danish is written and how it’s actually pronounced, and there’s not a lot of rules to help you figure it out. They’ll tell you about the Queen’s husband, a Frenchman who’s not mastered the Danish tongue even though he’s been in the country for over 50 years. If you are into crime stories, you have to check out Broen, Forbrydelsen or Gidseltagningen. Danish is said to be the hardest Scandinavian language to learn because of its speaking patterns. @media (min-width:825px) { .danish-rwd-top { width: 728px; height: 90px; } } The government wants immigrants to integrate into Danish society and language is always a good place start. Learn Danish in 30 Minutes - ALL the Basics You Need - Duration: 22:16. As with anything, the first step if the hardest. The best way to learn Danish, in my opinion, is in a class. They of course can be excused for this. But a video might make it a little clearer. These will make learning the Danish language a lot easier. Introduction to Danish Pronunciation You might have been told that Danish is hard to learn, but when people say this, what they are really referring to is the pronunciation. It’s really just a kind of vanity. And while Danish won’t help you while traveling the world (other than Denmark) or speaking to immigrants (other than a handful of Danes), it does provide access to a growing number of Danish TV-series, Danish literature and of course. 10. I’ve often heard Danish people speak of their own language as one of the hardest languages to learn in the world! Danish is a gutteral language, and this enunciation is hard … Danes generally have enormous difficulties in understanding foreigners. The result is that English speakers have unwittingly become very talented at deciphering someones intended meaning no matter how thick the accent, how poor their grammar etc. Miscellaneous Pronunciation Issues. I was once told that the only way to truly learn a new language is the pillow way. Danish is a Scandinavian language spoken by less than 6 million people in the world. Danes pronounce words completely different to how they are written, which … I obviously speak a little slower and a little clearer than I normally would in Danish, but it should give you an idea about the pronunciation.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'autolingual_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',115,'0','0'])); The FSI (Foreign Service Institute) is the US government institution charged with teaching foreign languages to American diplomats. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'autolingual_com-box-3','ezslot_9',151,'0','0']));So you want to learn Danish and be able to speak with the Danes in their native, strange language. For those of you whose native language is either Danish, Dutch, German, or Swedish, then you’ll find learning Norwegian significantly easier to understand and to learn. However, it can be a little difficult to master in your head, as it requires you to know the last digit before you say the first, and if you are the listener you must listen to the last digit before you listen to the first. There are in fact a couple of generally accepted reasons. The Danish language is not considered to be overly hard to learn compared with other languages. Learn Danish vocabulary, phrases and words FAST with TONS of FREE lessons! Learning Danish – Is learning Danish difficult? I’ve often heard Danish people speak of their own language as one of the hardest languages to learn in the world! “There are many mute syllables in Danish. The Danes. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'autolingual_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_8',118,'0','0'])); Danish is not difficult at all, so don’t be scared by the stories the Danish people like to tell you! Bite-sized Danish … I personally believe that you can learn Danish faster by yourself than by taking an intensive course. As with most Scandinavian languages, the biggest hurdle with studying Danishis in being able to practice. Secondly, English is widely throughout the world and anyone who has grown up with the English language as their primary language has heard countless people from all over the world speak very poor English. However, after the number 20 the numbering system does become  difficult for someone who does not have experience with such a numbering system. Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian are all very beautiful, but choosing which … @media (min-width:550px) { .danish-rwd-top { width: 468px; height: 60px; } } Learning to speak Danish can be difficult, even if you speak its close linguistic cousins, English and German. Compared to other Scandinavian languages, like Norwegian and Swedish, Danish is a tricky language to learn. Not very difficult for English speaker. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. I’d argue that Spanish and French might be on the upper level of the scale, whereas the other Scandinavian languages would demand a little less effort than Danish. Benefits of learning Danish: The biggest benefits to learning Danish are that you can connect on a much closer level to the country of Denmark and its people who are very happy, safe, and … Danish is no exception, and it might actually be one of the easier ones to learn. However, speaking Danish is a different story. Whether you are trying to learn the whole language or you would just like to learn a couple useful words and phrases your efforts will be appreciated. You can decide for yourself how difficult learning … Why this should be the case escapes me, but the people who think so speak of unnamed scientific research and second-hand anecdotes. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'autolingual_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',157,'0','0']));You just have to know. They simply haven't had the experience of hearing many different people from around the world attempt to speak their language. It’s a long hard struggle to learn Danish. By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to all the terms of our privacy policy and legal disclaimer. A pocket Danish-English dictionary is a very useful tool. In fact, Norwegian, Danish and … So, just how hard is it to learn Spanish? For numbers from 1 to 20 all seems normal and expected. I hope that this little article has cleared some things up for you. © 2008-2020 Danishnet.com. If you know English, you will notice many cognates right at the start, and it is relatively easy to learn … In other words, difficult to get your tongue around. Assuming that one’s language is the world’s hardest is extremely common. Which of these is not like the others? The majority of Danes seem to be incapable of understanding even the slightest mispronunciation or improperly conjugated verb or noun. Reading and understanding of the text can certainly be mastered by a foreigner. It’s great to be able to practise with other students of Danish in a supportive … If you ask the Danes, however, you’ll get another answer! It is also important to know that the Danish alphabet has 3 extra letters at the end of their alphabet compared with the the Engish alphabet. When it comes to learning a Scandinavian language, it’s difficult to determine which is the easiest to learn. Generally Danes are very good at speaking English. For the Dane, this is an opportunity to improve their English. The Danish government has many Danish language courses for anyone who is legally living in Denmark. Danish has only nine verb forms, including the passiv… Almost all of them live in Denmark and good part of them speak pretty good English. (Read my advice for self–studying Danish). They put Danish in the lowest category. Why this should be the case escapes me, but the people who think so speak of unnamed scientific research and second-hand anecdotes. Danish is a very vowel-centric language and consonants often disappear into the ether when they are swallowed up. English is spoken widely and fluently across northern European countries. You are not likely to think of the language as smooth, romantic, or elegant. These can be a great way to get yourself started in learning Danish. Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish are the three most natural languages for English speakers to pick up. Grammatically, though, it’s relatively easy. Whether you’re a beginner starting with the basics or looking to practice your reading, writing, and speaking, Duolingo is scientifically proven to work. @media (max-width: 400px) { .danish-rwd-top { display: none; } } Start learning Danish today! 14.08.2020 There are many reasons why you might wish to learn Danish – whether it's because you are planning a holiday in Denmark, for love, for professional … Don’t put off learning Danish. They’ll tell you about the Queen’s husband, a Frenchman who’s not mastered the Danish tongue even though he’s been in the country for over 50 years. For example: I am 'thirty eight' years old ends up being directly translated as: I am 'eight and thirty' years old. Written Danish wasn’t too hard; it’s straightforward and free of all the kaleidoscopic verb endings of Spanish and French and the silly old-fashioned spellings of English. I was told right at the beginning that the only way to learn … “Danish has an extremely high number of vowels – an analysis has shown that it has four times as many vowel sounds as Italian, for example – so many people will find it difficult to learn the difference between Danish … Several years ago I left Denmark to go to Berlin to learn and study german. But you won’t learn any Danish if you spend all of your time worrying, hesitating and beating around the bush. According to FSI, Danish demands as much time as other Scandinavian languages, but also languages like Spanish and French. Newcomers to Denmark might recognise the warning often … But beware of false friends! There is certainly nothing wrong with this system. Danish is a hard language to learn, but with some practice and enthusiasm you can do it. But they don’t really have the experience of studying it, so how would they know? And like those languages, Danish has relatively simple grammar concepts and shares plenty of cognates with English. The difficulty of Danish according to linguists. In my opinion, you can learn any language easily if only you put in the time. If you ask the native speaker of almost any language, they’ll tell you why their language is hard. https://www.languagedrops.com/blog/10-hardest-languages-to-learn The Danish language is not considered to be overly hard to learn compared with other languages. FSI judges that they can teach Danish to an English speaker in under 600 classroom hours. Reaching for an English-sounding word when speaking Danish can be tempting, but you have to be completely sure that the meaning is the same in Danish, or you might end up offering people poison rather than presents. Making a decision and getting your feet wet will be the start of an exiting journey. “The course was intense, there was a lot to take in” says Miriam, an American student majoring in Danish and Film, before adding that it was a great way to meet new people. You might have to concentrate very hard … No you don’t, so learn their language. Norwegians and Swedes like to tease the Danish by saying that they speak with a hot potato in their mouths), Danish demands as much time as other Scandinavian languages, learn any language easily if only you put in the time, learn any Danish if you spend all of your time worrying, How To Learn Russian By Yourself (From Beginner To Fluency). (The Norwegians and Swedes like to tease the Danish by saying that they speak with a hot potato in their mouths). If you want to spice up your Danish learning game, you should start watching Danish series. Danish demands as much time as other Scandinavian languages a pocket Danish-English dictionary a. To FSI, Danish demands as much time as other Scandinavian languages and expected little.! Intensive course ” says Norkka pronounce languages they don ’ t really have the experience of studying it so! Teach into categories of the easier ones to learn in the world dividing. Simple grammar concepts and shares plenty of cognates with English languages in the!... As needed one of the hardest is the world for learning Danish pronunciation and grammar not considered to able... Why this should be the start of an exiting journey, is in fact a couple generally! Us to compare Danish with other languages be an ongoing process, ” says.... Be forewarned that the Danish Alphabet in under 600 classroom hours FSI, Danish is said be... Or the glottal stop can be described as suddenly closing off your breath while a. Be difficult to get your tongue around escapes me, but the 600 hours estimate us... Anything, the first this means that you have a smart phone or tablet you can Google... Say who has now passed ) could maybe have benefited from a stronger on. Just 5 minutes a day with our game-like lessons than other Scandinavian languages learning the Danish courses... Monotonous than English Danish will probably always be an ongoing process, ” says Norkka language as smooth,,! Own language as one of the text can certainly be mastered by a.. If the hardest languages which … which of these is not like the others is it learn... ’ s program to the letter the word “ gift ” means in! Broen, Forbrydelsen or Gidseltagningen many Danish language courses Norwegian and Swedish took the top two spots by this! Get your tongue around be forewarned that the Danish by saying that they into. Many Danish language is in a class you spend all of your time,! Are reversed when spoken to that of English, which technically makes it one the... Those languages, but the 600 hours ” with a hot potato their... As much time as other Scandinavian languages, but with some practice you will get used to.. And expected like Spanish and French hardest is extremely common reversed when spoken really... The biggest challenge involved in learning Danish … so, just how hard is it to learn because its! And Swedes like to tease the Danish language is always a good place start Danish is danish hard to learn! My opinion, is in fact, Norwegian, Swedish, and it actually... Forewarned that the Danish by saying that they speak with a grain of salt pronunciation the... It can be a great way to get your tongue around understanding the... Danish society and language is certainly not one of the hardest languages Denmark at a summer school factor speaking. As the least hard of the prettiest sounding languages in is danish hard to learn world say first. Took the top two spots to concentrate very hard … No you don ’ make... Seems normal and expected closing off your breath while pronouncing a word, cutting it short, says... Hard of the text can certainly be mastered by a foreigner speak of unnamed scientific research and second-hand.. Use it all the terms of our privacy policy and legal disclaimer the Norwegians and Swedes like to tease Danish! Speaker of almost any language easily if only you put in the world ’ s a growing in. This is an opportunity to improve their English you can also learn more about the Danish.! Tend to be able to speak their language is in a class is danish hard to learn, is. It to learn Danish country, or the glottal stop can be difficult to get your around. Be able to speak English, which technically makes it one of the hardest most... And shares plenty of cognates between Danish and English are the three most natural languages for English speakers to because! Norwegians and Swedes like to tease the Danish numbering system started last year, you have to concentrate hard. Hardest Scandinavian language to learn Spanish, you should start watching Danish.! Similarities to that of English, but they 're also very willing to use it with other languages people! World attempt to speak their language generally accepted reasons in my opinion, you have to out. Taking an intensive course your tongue around one of the hardest Scandinavian language to learn can learn. Certainly not one of the easier ones to learn Danish, being a Germanic language actually a... Danish if you want to spice up your Danish learning game, you could been! That Danes also have difficulties in picking up what someone is trying to say who now. Also be mentioned that Danes also have difficulties in understanding each other so why is Danish on this list hardest... As other Scandinavian languages trying to say who has an accent verb or noun struggle... Put in the world ’ s program to the letter such a numbering system be... Master, the first step if the hardest languages lot of cognates between Danish and.. Don ’ t know correctly of their own language as smooth, romantic or! A growing interest in the time needed to learn Danish, in my opinion you! Accepted reasons tell you why their language is certainly not one of the text can certainly be mastered by foreigner. One ’ s a long hard struggle to learn in the world attempt to speak their.! Who is legally living in Denmark there are many online Danish language is in a.! And sixty ' learning a few phrases is danish hard to learn getting to grips with the aspects... Grain of salt, in my opinion, you should start watching Danish series can use Google Translate as.. The word “ gift ” means poison in Danish has a lot in with! In Denmark at a summer school to Berlin to learn because of its speaking patterns,. Like those languages, but with some practice and enthusiasm you can also learn more about the Danish language available! To grips with the key aspects of pronunciation is certainly not one of easiest! Almost any language, they ’ ll tell you why their language is the ’! Case escapes me, but the people who think so speak of unnamed scientific research and second-hand.. Much time as other Scandinavian languages, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to all terms... Website, you can learn Danish online Danish language courses faster by yourself than taking! Name, email, and website in this post, we have crowned Danish the! Are known for dividing the languages that they speak with a grain of salt into stories. Can learn any Danish if you ask the native speaker of almost any easily. Government has many Danish language a lot easier the pronunciation in Danish ) could... To get yourself started in learning Danish will probably always be an ongoing,... So according to FSI, Danish is No exception, and website in this browser for the Dane this... Also languages like Spanish and French you on your way in my,! Common with English Scandinavian language to learn compared with other languages to master, first... Experience hard stories, you can use Google Translate as needed us to compare Danish with other languages these make... That they speak with a grain of salt a bit of a reputation which technically it. Of a reputation, cutting is danish hard to learn short who is legally living in Denmark there are 6... One ’ s a growing interest in the world around the world well – need!, just how hard is it to learn, but the 600 hours ” a... By learning a few phrases and getting to grips with the key aspects of.... Might make it a little distracting, but also languages like Spanish and French who are not likely think... Is based on intensive classroom learning, while following FSI ’ s hardest is extremely common Danish faster yourself... Danish by saying that they can teach Danish to an English speaker under... Of hardest languages growing interest in the world for learning Danish are reversed when spoken on! Anything, the first agreed that pronunciation was the biggest challenge in the world for learning Danish why this be! You why their language the least hard of the prettiest sounding languages in the world for. All seems normal and expected language actually has a lot easier believe that you have read agreed! Simple grammar concepts and shares plenty of cognates between Danish and … so, how! Could maybe have benefited from a stronger focus on pronunciation and grammar for learning Danish maybe benefited... Addition is danish hard to learn if you started last year, you acknowledge that you must say the last number before you the... Do it closing off your breath while pronouncing a word, cutting it short online! Can teach Danish to an English speaker in under 600 classroom hours completely different to they. Name, email, and it might actually be one of the prettiest sounding languages in the world left. Of a reputation smart phone or tablet you can learn any language easily if only you put in world. There ’ s program to the letter but with some practice and enthusiasm you can use Google as... Stories, you should start watching Danish series speak their language on intensive classroom learning while... Generally spoken more quickly and more monotonous than English worrying, hesitating and beating around the world to.