Language Resources
April 27, 2015 7:39 PM Subscribe
I am heading to Denmark to live for 6 months this year. I would like to learn the basics of the language before heading over there and I am looking for resources.
Posting for my sister....
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for good online learning programs, books, or something I could download and listen to on my phone.
I am interested in building a foundation of grammar pronunciation etc. So looking for something more than just a phrase book. All suggestions welcome.
Posting for my sister....
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for good online learning programs, books, or something I could download and listen to on my phone.
I am interested in building a foundation of grammar pronunciation etc. So looking for something more than just a phrase book. All suggestions welcome.
Danish is one of the available languages on Duolingo!
I know, because using it to take a break from learning Spanish is the reason I can say "Jeg er en kvinde. Mads Mikkelsen er en mand," which are my only two sentences in Danish.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:52 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I know, because using it to take a break from learning Spanish is the reason I can say "Jeg er en kvinde. Mads Mikkelsen er en mand," which are my only two sentences in Danish.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:52 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Seconded. Duolingo's a good start, gets a little cyclical and repetitive, but can form a good foundation for something more advanced like Rosetta Stone. There's also a few social networks allegedly for speakers to improve their skills by helping each other, but I can't vouch for them.
posted by The Zeroth Law at 7:54 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by The Zeroth Law at 7:54 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I know a lot of people love Duolingo but I find it boring. You can really learn great phrases like, "the lion eats clothes", though. I think it can be a nice supplement but not a language course in itself. Don't get me wrong - I am sure I will use Duolingo to supplement my Norwegian once the Norwegian course is released, but I don't think it is good as a sole study device. I don't recommend Rosetta Stone.
I read good things about Aktivt Dansk and Complete Danish from the Teach Yourself series. Teach Yourself is probably going to be easier to buy. Of course, be sure to get the CDs that accompany the respective books. Pimsleur also has a 30-lesson audio-only series, but it is expensive so I recommend borrowing it from a library. You don't learn a whole lot of vocabulary from Pimsleur but it is great for drilling pronunciation.
On the off chance that your sister read French or German, Assimil has Le Danois san peine and Dänisch ohne Mühe. I am an Assimil evangelist and am using the French text for Norwegian.
I also recommend supplementing a text with a spaced repetition flashcard system for vocabulary such as Anki or Memrise. Spend 30-60 minutes on Danish every day.
http://www.reddit.com/r/danishlanguage/ can probably help a lot as well.
posted by Tanizaki at 8:45 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I read good things about Aktivt Dansk and Complete Danish from the Teach Yourself series. Teach Yourself is probably going to be easier to buy. Of course, be sure to get the CDs that accompany the respective books. Pimsleur also has a 30-lesson audio-only series, but it is expensive so I recommend borrowing it from a library. You don't learn a whole lot of vocabulary from Pimsleur but it is great for drilling pronunciation.
On the off chance that your sister read French or German, Assimil has Le Danois san peine and Dänisch ohne Mühe. I am an Assimil evangelist and am using the French text for Norwegian.
I also recommend supplementing a text with a spaced repetition flashcard system for vocabulary such as Anki or Memrise. Spend 30-60 minutes on Danish every day.
http://www.reddit.com/r/danishlanguage/ can probably help a lot as well.
posted by Tanizaki at 8:45 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think that the essential, basic, and comprehensive grammars from Routledge are great for teaching the core language lessons. Something I have begun doing is to write down what I say through out the day and to translate it on my own. Things like, 'I need to buy dish soap', and 'I can't find my keys!' Another idea would be in conjunction with that, get a book that you like in Danish, and translate it word for word.
Why are you going to Denmark? Have fun anyway!
posted by skwint at 9:10 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Why are you going to Denmark? Have fun anyway!
posted by skwint at 9:10 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
My advice is not to wait too long before progressing from learning the grammar to hearing actual speech. I spent way too much time with the written word, and when I finally heard some Danish I was all 0_0
posted by threeants at 9:42 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by threeants at 9:42 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Seconding to use audio resources as soon as possible. (From my experience not with Danish, but with other languages.)
Indiana U. hosts some free Danish audio material that accompanies an older intro book, The Way to Danish. The book's available used for not very much, and might be worth checking out just for the sake of the audio.
I see also there is a paid audio-based online course from a Danish company, which appears to have a lot of material. There is a free sample lesson.
Seconding, too, Pimsleur for pronunciation, and Assimil.
Good luck to you!
posted by bertran at 10:57 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Indiana U. hosts some free Danish audio material that accompanies an older intro book, The Way to Danish. The book's available used for not very much, and might be worth checking out just for the sake of the audio.
I see also there is a paid audio-based online course from a Danish company, which appears to have a lot of material. There is a free sample lesson.
Seconding, too, Pimsleur for pronunciation, and Assimil.
Good luck to you!
posted by bertran at 10:57 PM on April 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Listen to Danish podcasts and YouTube videos... Reading Danish and understanding spoken Danish are 2 different challenges and you don't want to learn the wrong pronunciation!
posted by catspajammies at 1:43 AM on April 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by catspajammies at 1:43 AM on April 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Does she currently live near a university? If so, perhaps there are Danish exchange students there who might be interested in tutoring her.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 2:32 AM on April 28, 2015
posted by kinddieserzeit at 2:32 AM on April 28, 2015
"jeg vil gerne have en ol"
I think there should be an "s" in there somewhere, and the o doesn't look right, but:
"I would like a beer."
JEALOUS of Denmark. I lived there 10+ years ago for a semester. Best decision ever.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 5:55 AM on April 28, 2015
I think there should be an "s" in there somewhere, and the o doesn't look right, but:
"I would like a beer."
JEALOUS of Denmark. I lived there 10+ years ago for a semester. Best decision ever.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 5:55 AM on April 28, 2015
"jeg vil gerne have en ol"
No "s", but "ol" should be "øl".
If you really want to pronounce Danish: Danish Tongue Twisters
posted by flif at 8:45 AM on April 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
No "s", but "ol" should be "øl".
If you really want to pronounce Danish: Danish Tongue Twisters
posted by flif at 8:45 AM on April 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone... from my sister "Great responses from everyone, it's been very helpful, thankyou guys so much".
posted by Lesium at 11:40 PM on April 30, 2015
posted by Lesium at 11:40 PM on April 30, 2015
Sorry for the late response, I've been busy enjoying the lovely spring here in Denmark. (today I see one cloud in the sky).
A few more resources:
Set of online danish videos
Danish grammar explanations, in your language of choice
Danish grammar in Danish, also their word list is useful, and if you've studied Latin there's a Danish-Latin grammar section that I liked.
Danish kids' tv. At night everyone sleeps :-)
I've also got a set of anki cards, drop me a memail if she (or anyone else) would like these too.
posted by nat at 2:06 AM on May 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
A few more resources:
Set of online danish videos
Danish grammar explanations, in your language of choice
Danish grammar in Danish, also their word list is useful, and if you've studied Latin there's a Danish-Latin grammar section that I liked.
Danish kids' tv. At night everyone sleeps :-)
I've also got a set of anki cards, drop me a memail if she (or anyone else) would like these too.
posted by nat at 2:06 AM on May 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by brainmouse at 7:49 PM on April 27, 2015 [3 favorites]