Norwegian, Finnish, or Swedish?

[ossa]

I have to sign up for one more class this quarter and I want to take a class in a Scandinavian language but I can't decide which one would be best. Does anyone have an opinion on which would be the best language to learn? I listen to a lot of music from each of these countries so I don't think I really have a preference.

V5, you're welcome to delete this thread once I've made up my mind.

 

[supseudonymous]

Norwegian because of all the bands from these countries those from Norway more commonly release material with lyrics and titles in their native language. By learning some of the language you will maximize the number of albums you are able to better understand in comparison to learning Finnish or Swedish.

 

[Vilden]

I wouldn't suggest Finnish. Mostly because it is a totally different langauge and not part of the germanic/indo-european family. So it is probably harder to learn as it has no connection at all to English. It is also by far the most ugly sounding of the three.

I suggest Swedish, mostly because I'm from Sweden myself though but it is also the most spoken langague of the three and you can probably make yourself understood in Finland aswell with it because they have to learn it in school.

Also, if you learn Swedish or Norwegian you can pretty much understand (or atleast easily learn to understand) the other langauge of those two, so you get one "for free".

 

[NinjaGeek]

I wouldn't suggest Finnish. Mostly because it is a totally different langauge and not part of the germanic/indo-european family. So it is probably harder to learn as it has no connection at all to English. It is also by far the most ugly sounding of the three.

Those all sound like good reasons to take Finnish...

 

[Uthark]

Swedish, it sounds much cooler than Norwegian.
Also, it should've been Danish instead of Finnish. The latter isn't a scandinavian language, the former is. Though, who'd want to learn Danish?
I applaud you on your choice though. Starting this year I'll be learning all scandivian languages at university.

 

[ossa]

Yeah, I realized that Finnish doesn't really fall in the same group, but I really love music from Finland so I was just throwing that out there. I see a lot of reasons here why I shouldn't take it though, so I won't.

 

[Vilden]

Those all sound like good reasons to take Finnish...

Except that it really ugly, annoying, off-turning, and is in no way "cool"-sounding. ;-D

The only thing it has going for it is that it is pretty unique compared to most langagues, but that doesn't make up for the bad parts.

 

[ossa]

Damnit, I just realized that I have one course in my schedule that's scheduled in the same time slot as all the foreign language courses and I can't drop it. So I just signed up for a course on the Vikings instead... but I would still appreciate your suggestions because I think in my free time I will want to do independent study of either Swedish or Norwegian, so any advice from you guys is still welcome.

 

[TheInsane]

As someone else said Finnish has little to nothing in common with Swedish or Norwegian (or German or English or any of those type of languages). However Finland is dual languaged so one can be understood there speaking Swedish and Finish (not in all areas though).

Norwegian and Swedish are really close to eachother and could be dialectical differences of the same language pretty much. If you know one you know or have a easy time to know the other. At least thats how it is for us natives.

Danish and Norwegian are closer than Swedish and Danis or Swedish and Norwegian but only in written language. The pronounciation is way different most of the time but once you get used to it a Swede or Norwegian can understand a Danish person pretty good as well.

 

[zabu of nΩd]

Various studies have shown Norwegian-speakers to be the best in Scandinavia at understanding other languages within the language group.

If this is true, I'd go with Norwegian since it would make it easier to learn (or already understand) both Swedish and Danish.

 

[mutantllama]

Norwegian, because it would raise up your kvlt level.

 

[Vilden]

I think that is true, atleast either Norwegian or Danish people being the best. Mostly because Swedes has a much harder time to understanding spoken Danish then Norwegians from what I've gathered. I don't think there are any big differences between Norwegians and Swedes in understanding each other though.

Edit: @ vhiris

 

[Onder]

I have to sign up for one more class this quarter and I want to take a class in a Scandinavian language but I can't decide which one would be best. Does anyone have an opinion on which would be the best language to learn? I listen to a lot of music from each of these countries so I don't think I really have a preference.

It doesn't matter what language you choose, I'll always understand you -

 

[The Ozzman]

ALERT

Cyborz coming

 

[NinjaGeek]

I would like to add that the icelandic language is badass.

 

[ossa]

It doesn't matter what language you choose, I'll always understand you -

Awww sweetie




I'm having a really hard time deciding between Swedish and Norwegian, I can't decide yet. It'd be pretty sweet to be more kvlt but if Swedish is spoken more widely.... argh I can't decide!

 

[mutantllama]

I personally would choose Norwegian, because I plan on going out there sometime, and possibly live there.

 

[NinjaGeek]

Widely spoken = lame, the less people can understand you the better. You don't want to actually put these languages to practical use, you just wanna sound kvlt in front of your metal buddies, and hope no one notices if you screw the words up.

 

[rms]

Personally id choose Swedish

 

[Blind Guardian]

Duh Swedish can also be kvlt:"Jag har kommit för att dräpa er,kristna hundar. Må ni i all evighet brinna i helvetet min herres masugn"