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| - | status of English as lingua franca in | + | |
| + | '''The status of English in Sweden''' | ||
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| + | English is widely understood and spoken in Sweden by younger and older generations. In urban areas, such as Stockholm, you could probably live for years without speaking a word of Swedish. Some people actually do. Whereever you go, be it a shop, a bus, a bank, a dentist, a hospital, or local tax authorities, someone will always attend you in English, often American English. You will find a lot of public information translated into English and some other foreign languages spoken by ethnic minorities living in Sweden. This does not mean, however, that Swedes are not patriotic. They are very proud of their country and their language, which, just like English, belongs to the same Germanic group. You will see a lot of Swedish flags around, especially in the countryside. Many Swedes are euro-sceptic. Yet, they are aware of the size and location of their country and recognise the importance of English for sustaining their country's economic development. Most universities in Sweden offer courses and degrees in English, particularly in the areas of business and exact sciences. Some companies use English as their lingua franca, although they do not have any British or American participation. It is likely that English will obtain the status of the second official language in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. As some British politicians say, we shall wait and see... | ||
Current revision as of 09:49, 21 October 2008
The status of English in Sweden
English is widely understood and spoken in Sweden by younger and older generations. In urban areas, such as Stockholm, you could probably live for years without speaking a word of Swedish. Some people actually do. Whereever you go, be it a shop, a bus, a bank, a dentist, a hospital, or local tax authorities, someone will always attend you in English, often American English. You will find a lot of public information translated into English and some other foreign languages spoken by ethnic minorities living in Sweden. This does not mean, however, that Swedes are not patriotic. They are very proud of their country and their language, which, just like English, belongs to the same Germanic group. You will see a lot of Swedish flags around, especially in the countryside. Many Swedes are euro-sceptic. Yet, they are aware of the size and location of their country and recognise the importance of English for sustaining their country's economic development. Most universities in Sweden offer courses and degrees in English, particularly in the areas of business and exact sciences. Some companies use English as their lingua franca, although they do not have any British or American participation. It is likely that English will obtain the status of the second official language in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. As some British politicians say, we shall wait and see...
