Lingua Danca: The importance of learning Danish

By Edward Owen

If you’re new to Copenhagen, there’s a good chance you will have never heard anything quite like the Danish language.

You’ve also noticed the Danes seem to speak pretty good English. And so, you could easily convince yourself that learning the language isn’t a priority.

But really, there are a myriad of advantages to learning the language –especially given the strong possibility that you won’t want to leave.

EMPLOYMENT: AVOID THE CREEK!

Some ability in Danish will present you with a wider range of choice in your chosen profession.

Perhaps you’re here in Copenhagen because you work for a large international company and the official language is English. However, there is no doubt that new opportunities within such firms – in different departments or new projects – will be available to you if you can grasp Danish.

The truth is that even if you find a job that specifies mother tongue English, they will very often still want you to speak Danish when socialising with the other workers. Such a situation can spoil the office hygge!

Within the service industry there are some employers who don’t have a preference on your Danish language skills and there are some that do. The point remains: you will have more options if you can get to grips with Danish.

Whatever your profession, you will eventually find yourself in a situation in which knowledge of Danish is highly advantageous at work.

EDUCATION: JOIN THE CLIQUE!

Learning Danish will also help at uni. For example, imagine you're the only non-Dane in a group work project and you head out for a quick coffee. Upon your return your peers are chattering away in Danish – no big deal, right?

Wrong. It turns out that as you were gazing off into the distance, important decisions were made about the direction of the group project. If only you had understood, you could have recognised the importance of the conversation.

SOCIALLY: POWER WHEN YOU SPEAK!

It’s also important to consider your social life outside of work. Making friends with Danes can be a tough audition. Being able to converse in Danish will really allow you to immerse yourself in society and glide through social interactions and feel more at home.

The day-to-day situations in which a good command of Danish can be an advantage are numerous, but here are a few examples.

‘GETTING AROUND’

Place names, directions, announce-

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ments on transport – particularly out in the regions where far fewer Danes tend to speak English well. Imagine you’re sat on the train and it fails to depart – there’s an announcement and everyone gets off the train. You can assume this train is going nowhere –but what did the announcement say?!

‘LIFE ADMINISTRATION’

Paying bills, making purchases online, understanding receipts and terms and conditions, checking the small print etc. You are responsible for your own tax assessment in Denmark – receiving a large tax bill at the end of the year is not ideal.

‘BASIC COMMUNICATION’

Not just with the Danes, but with a sizeable chunk of the 10 percent of the population who aren’t Danish, but don’t speak English. Immigrating from countries like Eritrea, Afghanistan and Syria, they wouldn’t have learned English as a child, but most will speak Danish

1. When you enter each room, take a picture of the whole room.

2. Continue taking pictures of: walls, ceilings, the floor, windows, doors and cabinets.

3. Take pictures of any damage (scratches on floors, missing paint on walls, holes, etc).

4. Open and close any windows to check if they are working properly.

Welcome to Denmark!

For newly-arrived expats, securing a rental property is an important first step. Once you have signed a lease, the next step will be the property handover.

The move-in inspection is a critical part of renting a property in Denmark, where you should document the condition as you received it. This documentation is necessary when moving out, when the condition of the property will be assessed again.

ESSENTIAL GUIDELINES

Here are some guidelines which should help you during this process.

5. In the bathroom, inspect and take pictures of: walls, ceilings, the floor, the shower and appliances (for example, check the drawers of the washing machine and lint filter in the dryer).

6. Check for limescale on the sink, shower, and toilet, and take pictures if present.

7. Turn on taps to check if they are working properly after being here for a few months.

‘MAKING NEW FRIENDS’

Not just with the Danes but also the social outlet offered by language school. Many often remain friends for decades, and it’s not unknown for some to start sports clubs once the learning experience is over.

‘COMPLAINING’

Whether it’s in a checkout queue or at the traffic lights, if you’re speaking in English, will they admit to understanding you?

‘EAVESDROPPING’

Fun in any language.

‘SAFETY’

Last, but by no means least. In an emergency situation, Danish language skills could prove to be the difference – offering crucial clarity and timesaving. 

8. Check for mould in the shower and take pictures if present

9. In the kitchen, take pictures of: walls, ceilings, the floor, windows, cabinets (inside/out), stove (inside/ out), fridge (inside/out) and dishwasher (inside/out, corners & filter).

Two Weeks To Respond

The move-in inspection is typically done with the landlord or a representative of the landlord (I.e. building caretaker). They will prepare the move-in report and you will have 14 days to report additional defects that you might find after the inspection.

Using professional relocation services to assist with the inspection can relieve stress and save you money. Copenhagen Relocations has 30+ years of experience and would be delighted to help with your moving process.

For assistance, contact: COPENHAGEN RELOCATIONS contact@relocate.dk +45 / 7020 9580

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