Post: #1

I know most of us have chosen a second language (or third) to learn especially after learning the benefits of it.

I've started with Swedish as a springboard to other languages, as it is relatively similar to English.

Is anyone here fluent in it? I'm currently in Sweden at the moment and have a couple questions regarding prepositions, phrases with "this, that and it' and tycka, tänka and tror.

Thanks in advance!

Post: #2

There must be some swedes on this board who can help you.

If not, then I can try to help you. Not fluent in Swedish in any way, but for the most part, we swedes and danes understand each other. So I might be able to help you a little.

Post: #3

If you learn swedish you should be able to understand danish and norwegian too.

I'm norwegian and I understand swedish perfectly. A little harder with some dialects of danish, but it works.

Shoot if you have any questions.

Post: #4

Springboard to which other languages?

Post: #5

Why do you want to learn Swedish? I thought that they all speak English.

Post: #6

(03-24-2013 05:28 PM)BoiBoi Wrote:  Why do you want to learn Swedish? I thought that they all speak English.

That's what I was thinking too, and it wouldn't be beneficial anywhere other than Sweden. Sure it may make it easier to speak a couple other Scandinavian languages, but back to the original question, Why? They all speak English.

Post: #7

Don't see the point unless a move and job is unit

Post: #8

Yeah I can see it if you want to live there a couple years. If I was living anywhere for a couple years, even if 100% of the population spoke English, I would still make the effort. But if I was only staying a couple months, I wouldn't learn a Scandinavian language.

Post: #9

I like Swedish but I didnt "love" it enough to learn it well.

All work was in English (mandatory). All my friends are bilingual. It would have been nice to have known more to have a conversation with friends Grandparents? Shit, even they spoke English well enough.

Its pure bragging rights really. They will be impressed that you know it, but they will likely ask you "Why?"

Quote:Yeah I can see it if you want to live there a couple years. If I was living anywhere for a couple years, even if 100% of the population spoke English, I would still make the effort. But if I was only staying a couple months, I wouldn't learn a Scandinavian language.

Exactly.

Post: #10

English and Swedish are similar?

Post: #11

(03-24-2013 10:00 PM)MrXY Wrote:  English and Swedish are similar?

Not the slightest.

Post: #12

(03-24-2013 10:00 PM)MrXY Wrote:  English and Swedish are similar?

The sentence structure is similar.

Post: #13

(03-24-2013 05:23 PM)Roosh Wrote:  Springboard to which other languages?

It's relatively similar to English and as I've noticed being abroad it's much easier to learn a language if you already have learned one before. So many polyglots over here and in Finland.

Also, as the Nords and Danes pointed out, I'd also be able to comprehend Danish and Norwegian, along with a bit of Icelandic, which would be useful considering I would like to move here when I graduate.

Post: #14

You are going to struggle. As soon as you try speaking swedish swedes will hear your accent and switch to their already nearly perfect english. Unlike a place like Russia or Brazil where it is a sink or swim concept, in Sweden is is so very easy to coast on english.

Post: #15

(03-25-2013 03:56 AM)gandt Wrote:  You are going to struggle. As soon as you try speaking swedish swedes will hear your accent and switch to their already nearly perfect english. Unlike a place like Russia or Brazil where it is a sink or swim concept, in Sweden is is so very easy to coast on english.

That being said, if you are persistent and dedicated it has been done by many.

Post: #16

Here is my quick guide to learning any new language:

* Start with memorizing the 1,000 most common words in the language (this will make up over 90% of everyday conversation)

* Begin learning all of those words that are common to the English word (you will be surprised at how many they are)

* Learn 50-100 new words every day (by the end of 1 year you will be fluent)

* Whenever talking with a Swede do so in Swedish (typing, speech, etc..)

* Read blogs to get a feel for how to the grammar is used

* Listen to podcasts to understand how the words are pronounced

In terms of Swedish being similar to English I don't think it is even close. But could be useful if you want to life in Sweden, Norway, etc...

Google translate is your friend.

Post: #17

(03-25-2013 03:56 AM)gandt Wrote:  You are going to struggle. As soon as you try speaking swedish swedes will hear your accent and switch to their already nearly perfect english. Unlike a place like Russia or Brazil where it is a sink or swim concept, in Sweden is is so very easy to coast on english.

I hate when people do that when I'm trying to practice another language in their country.

Post: #18

Gandt has some pretty good advice. If you apply yourself to learning vocabulary and marry yourself to a phrase book you can probably learn enough in three weeks or a month to stumble into nearly any country and at least find a hostel, get hammered, and call a cab home. I think it takes about four to six months to get comfortable in a new language if you work on it consistently.
There's a pretty neat memory gimmick that you can use to learn vocabulary in a hurry but I forget exactly where I read it. It's a book called something like "How to Learn Any Language" I think, and the guy who wrote it was a hyperpolyglot. Roosh also has some tricks on his blog if you google how he learns Spanish and/or Portuguese.

(03-25-2013 04:45 AM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  

(03-25-2013 03:56 AM)gandt Wrote:  You are going to struggle. As soon as you try speaking swedish swedes will hear your accent and switch to their already nearly perfect english. Unlike a place like Russia or Brazil where it is a sink or swim concept, in Sweden is is so very easy to coast on english.

I hate when people do that when I'm trying to practice another language in their country.

That's definitely one of my biggest pet peeves. I like to think that it's a huge conspiracy to keep language tutors in business.

Post: #19

(03-25-2013 04:45 AM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  

(03-25-2013 03:56 AM)gandt Wrote:  You are going to struggle. As soon as you try speaking swedish swedes will hear your accent and switch to their already nearly perfect english. Unlike a place like Russia or Brazil where it is a sink or swim concept, in Sweden is is so very easy to coast on english.

I hate when people do that when I'm trying to practice another language in their country.

I've had it happen a couple times, but since I blend in pretty well here it doesn't happen often. I'd say my knowledge of the language is at about a 5-6/10 right now, being able to converse at a slight level, ask question, and I know all about sentence structure, verb forms. It really has clicked, but the only thing I have trouble with are prepositions.

Post: #20

I'm not a Swede but I talk Swedish 100% fluently. As other guys pointed out I agree that almost everybody talk perfect English there.
I don't think the chicks will be impressed of anyone who have learned Swedish, most likely they will ask why you have even bothered. They like to talk English anyway.

However, feel free to ask me if you have any questions about Swedish.

Post: #21

The general recommendation is to learn Norwegian because it's the linguistic center of Scandinavia. Closer to Danish than Swedish is. Of course, as others have said, English is so prevalent there that there is not much point...

Post: #22

(03-25-2013 02:13 AM)Vicious Wrote:  

(03-24-2013 10:00 PM)MrXY Wrote:  English and Swedish are similar?

Not the slightest.

This coming from a guy that sounds like this:










































   

Post: #23

I'm Norwegian. isn't these words on Google translate?
for native speakers the accent between Norwegian danish and Swedish are quite different. so for a 3. language it would be difficult to understand.

danish is a rubbish language. I read an science article kids are having a hard time learning the language as well.

people over 60 don't speak that well English. so if gilfs on the menu. then it might be worth the effort.

Post: #24

(03-24-2013 05:28 PM)BoiBoi Wrote:  Why do you want to learn Swedish? I thought that they all speak English.

if you want to understund swedish you need to get a brand new pair of ears.save all the effort........english is more than enough i agree.