Why Writing in Danish Shouldn't Intimidate You

Don't let writing in Danish make you anxious. Trust me, Danes usually don't act as grammar police. Maybe in your home country (in my home country for sure), a single grammar error could lead to a barrage of critiques, with some even dismissing your argument solely because of that mistake. But in Denmark? It's a different story.

From what I observe on Facebook, many folks make elementary grammar errors (like forgetting the '-r' in present tense because they aren’t sure if it’s not an infinitive. A quick trick for Danes are told: use the word “cykle” in a sentence. “Cykle” or “cykler” – a native can spot the difference). Yet, these slip-ups happen, and life goes on. No one bats an eye.

Here's a sweet perk: tools like Google Docs or Gmail are here to back you up. They'll not only fix your spelling but also help with sentence placement and those tricky commas. (In Google Docs, go to File > Language > Danish and voila!) Speaking of commas, Danes themselves often get tangled up with them, so cut yourself some slack!

Moreover, Danes recognize that some people struggle with dyslexia (or "ordblind" in Danish). They know that it's not about being careless; a dyslexic mind just processes grammar in its unique way. Being dyslexic is valid here.

So, relax those shoulders and start typing away in Danish. A piece of advice? Read your text out loud. Sometimes, our ears catch what our eyes miss, and you might find that you have written something you'd never actually say. When you say it, you can sometimes hear the mistake.

While I'm all about speaking, I can't stress enough how writing can boost your Danish oral skills. Recalling vocabulary and sentence structures is invaluable for language learning. Even if you opt for short diary entries as your chosen written practice, you'll soon find your grip on Danish growing stronger.

Good luck and contact me if you need any help.

Daniela