Lär Dig Svenska

IS GRAMMAR IMPORTANT?

This is a question that is often discussed while learning or teaching a language. After teaching Swedish to immigrants in Sweden for many years I find that the answer varies from individual to individual. Some learn by listening and repeating. Others need to find a structure and understand “why” while learning the language. It is for that group that grammar can be used as a tool.

Being good at grammar does not mean that you are good at the language. In fact, Swedish immigrants are usually much better at Swedish grammar after their language education than native Swedes. It doesn’t mean that their language is better, but it helps them to structure their Swedish.

In the upcoming Swedish Press issues you’ll learn elementary Swedish grammar. Today you’ll learn more about pronouns.

Swedish Language Teacher Åsa Bouck is a Swedish teacher, living in Alberta, Canada with her Canadian husband and two bilingual sons. 2011 she set up Swedish2go, an online company offering self-instructional material for learning Swedish in the form of videos, presentations, quizzes, listening comprehensions and more.

Feel free to ask questions about the Swedish language by contacting Swedish Press or visiting Swedish2go.com.

PRONOUNS IN SUBJECT FORM Jag = I Du = You (singular) Han = He Hon = She (Learn the difference right away between han/hon and you will save yourself a lot of embarrassing trouble!) Den, Det = It Vi = We Ni = You (Plural: Note that Swedes make a difference between singular and plural.) De = They

PRONOUNS IN OBJECT FORM Mig = Me Dig = You Honom = Him Henne = Her Oss = Us Er = You Dem = Them (De and Dem is pronounced the same: Dom) HÖSTORD

Here are a few words that could be useful when talking about the fall. Practice them, and try to find 8 of them in the word puzzle below.

En höst = a fall/an autumn Kall = cold Kylig = chilly Blåsig = windy Mörker = darkness En färg = a colour Ett löv = a leaf Att kratta = to rake (we use the phrase: kratta löv) Ett ljus = a candle/ a light Att tända = to light (we use the phrase: tända ljus)

F F A R G K R A T A L S I S M Ö R K E R Ö H E W K R A T B U T E L Ö V E E Ö C D M L F G M S E D L G T I O W Å G L T T I O N A K R E V S Ö P Ä S V U N R K B I E I R N H Å H D A E B Å F V G D 2 K O A T R Y L Ö A S A G A S R T T F Ä R G S S O E T R A T Ä N D A Å K J B P E T D Ö K Ä Q X A A

TEST

• I love you. = ________________ älskar _________________. • We are going to Sweden with you all. = __________________ åker till

Sverige med ____________ alla. • She often buys flowers for him. = _____________________ köper ofta blommor till _____________. • They want to meet them. = ______________ vill träffa ______________.

Correct answers from Swedish Press number 8/2013, language test: När reser du till Sverige? Varifrån kommer tåget? Vem reser till Sverige? Vad gör du?