Do I need to learn Swedish? I work in IT and it’s not a requirement for my job. That’s the usual response you might hear from people who have not made any effort to learn the language even after staying in the country for years.
A gentleman who has stayed in the country for over a decade and speaks perfect Swedish once asked me – How would you feel if a Spanish citizen visits your locality in India and expect you to talk in Spanish? My answer: It will be odd and I will likely avoid the person. Same thing here, he said. While most Swedes speak English quite well, they value their language and culture much more. Learning the language is the first step toward integration. I took the advice to heart and invested a year in learning the language. Sometimes it was hard, sometimes it was frustrating as most of my Indian friends don’t speak the language. But I made it. I now share a joke with my once-distant neighbor in Swedish. I even talk about politics with locals and sometimes even drive a hard bargain in shops – all in Swedish. And I now feel that I belong, more than ever. I am no longer a guest.
MSH: The introduction is the narration of lived experience by the author.
Is it hard to learn Swedish?
Not really. If you know English, you will find that there are many words that are similar in Swedish. Good Morning translates to “God Morgon” in Swedish and is pronounced like “Go-morron”. The ideal way to learn Swedish is to get familiarised with the melody of the language when others are speaking in front of you. And slowly you will get the rhythm. It will take a few months of practice to start understanding the language and making short conversations.
How to learn the language?
Use a mobile app: Some apps like Duolingo can help you familiarise yourself with the language. You can spend as little as 30 minutes per day on the app. Give it a go.
Watch YouTube videos: There are a bunch of videos on YouTube that offer basic to advanced courses in Swedish. They can help build up your vocabulary.
Join SFI: Swedish government offers free language training for immigrants, known aptly as Swedish for Immigrants (SFI). Offered across the country through various municipalities, one needs to be over 16 to join a course and choose between part-time, full-time, and remote classes. (READ: All About SFI)
Get a private tutor: There are several Swedish teachers, both in India and Sweden, who offer basic Swedish classes. Enrol in one.
MSH Opinion: It doesn’t make much sense to fully commit to the language if you are here on deputation for a few years and have no plans to stay here longer. But if you are keen to make a life in Sweden, you absolutely need to know the language, irrespective of whether your job requires it or not. Learning Swedish is the first step to getting integrated and you will feel part of the country. The expected changes in the law would also make it mandatory to know the language. An early start won’t hurt. And if you are a dependant and looking for a job – investing time in learning Swedish is a no-brainer.
