Danglish

Danglish is a portmanteau of Danish and English. The term is used in Denmark to refer to the increasingly strong influx of English or pseudo-English vocabulary into Danish. While it has been argued that the influx of English words, similar to the import of Latin and French words in the past, makes the language more expressive, it remains controversial in many sectors of society, notably with older people, who are often less accustomed to English terms.

Many Danes fully accept a takeover of correct English expressions when a proper Danish expression either doesn't exist or can not be created for several reasons. This is particularly true for expression from the sector of modern computing and/or media. What many detest, however, is the increasing tendency of an unnecessary substitution of existing Danish words by sensible Anglicisms and, even worse, the creation of an – often distorting – pseudo-English vocabulary – preferably for marketing purposes – and referring re- and misinterpretations of the original words (whether English OR Danish).

"Danglish" is also used as a mocking expression for the poor or clumsy use of English by Danes.[1]

Danification of English words

Danglish words often receive standard Danish endings and prefixes, in other words they are conjugated or declined in the same manner as Danish words.

Twisting of Danish idioms and grammar rules

The adaptation also takes the other route, where literal translations of popular English expressions slowly but insistently replace the correct Danish words and idioms. Widespread examples of this evolution are:

These phrasings may have originated from (subtitled) English-language movies and other media translated into Danish, but they are also used in everyday language.

Anglicisation of Danish sentences

Most of the Danes are familiar with English as a second language, but sometimes the translation from Danish to English is more Danglish:


Common Danish Mistakes in English


Non-translation

Several schools have lately changed their names to become more international recognised. "Handelshøjskolen i København" is now known as "Copenhagen Business School" or "CBS".

Many American films such as "Armageddon", "Toy Story" or "Ice Age" do not translate their titles into Danish. Menus of many global fast-food chains also usually go partly or completely untranslated: Double Whopper

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mellish, Kay Xander. (2016) "Top 35 Mistakes Danes Make In English," p. 9. KXMGroup, Copenhagen. ISBN 9788771141887
  2. ↑ "Screw Down a little bit the Expectations" - Richard Møller Nielsen YouTube
  3. ↑ Mellish, p. 37.
  4. ↑ Mellish, p. 43.
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