What language do they speak in Denmark? Danish, obviously. But here’s the thing. Denmark doesn’t stop at just Danish. There’s more going on. From regional dialects to minority languages like Faroese and Greenlandic, plus a casual mastery of English that embarrasses the rest of us, Denmark’s linguistic setup is worth a closer look.
What Is the Official Language of Denmark?
Danish is the national language of Denmark. It’s a North Germanic language closely related to Swedish and Norwegian. Together, these languages form a core linguistic group in Scandinavia. Danish is the national language used in government, schools, and daily life across mainland Denmark and its territories. Outsiders might struggle with modern Danish grammar and pronunciation, though.
Here’s a map of the various Danish dialects:
Which Foreign Languages Are Spoken in Denmark?
Danes are impressively multilingual. Danish is the primary language, but foreign languages are an integral part of life in Denmark.
German stands out as a second language. About 47% of the population know the language. Swedish is also common. Roughly 13% of Danes understand or speak it. Proximity and shared linguistic roots explain its presence, especially in regions near the Øresund Bridge.
Danes also speak English as a second language. Around 86% of Danes speak it fluently. It’s taught in schools, dominates workplaces, and is often used in casual conversations.Â
Which Minority Languages Are Recognized in Denmark?
Several minority languages spoken in Denmark add layers to the nation’s linguistic identity.Â
German
The North Schleswig Germans in Southern Jutland have rights protected under the Copenhagen-Bonn Declarations of 1955. This agreement preserves their cultural and linguistic identity, backed by 24 kindergartens and 18 schools run by the German School and Language Association. Besides the minority area, German is also used in St. Peter’s parish in Copenhagen.
But Denmark hasn’t implemented the use of German geographical names, even though the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages recommends it.Â
Faroese
Faroese is the language of the Faroe Islands, a self-governing territory of Denmark. Being a North Germanic language, it shares a close relationship with Icelandic and retains many Old Norse features that modern Danish has lost. Faroese has a distinct phonology and complex grammar, often preserved through oral traditions and poetry. Most Faroese speakers in Denmark are first-generation immigrants.
Greenlandic
Greenlandic, or Kalaallisut, became the official language of Greenland after the 2009 Act on Greenland Self-Government. As part of the Eskimo–Aleut language family, it’s entirely unrelated to Danish and shares linguistic roots with Canadian Inuktitut. Greenlandic is known for its polysynthetic structure, where single words carry the weight of entire sentences. First-generation Greenlandic immigrants in Denmark keep the language alive.
Romani
The status of Romani in Denmark is uncertain. In 2011, the Council of Europe called on Danish authorities to clarify its presence. Despite research, no definitive documentation was found. However, some Romani representatives claim around 5,000 descendants of Sinti families who arrived in the 19th century live in Denmark. While the language lacks institutional recognition, it’s still a part of Denmark’s cultural patchwork.
Regional LanguagesÂ
The two recognized regional languages in Denmark are Faroese and Greenlandic. Some have suggested that Sámi languages are spoken in some parts of Denmark. That’s not true. Sámi languages aren’t spoken in Denmark. They’re used in other parts of the Nordic region, though. They’re not one language, but a group spread across Norway, Sweden, Finland, and parts of Russia. Sámi belongs to the Uralic family, so it has nothing to do with Danish, which is a Germanic language.
There are several Sámi languages, like Northern Sámi, Lule Sámi, and Southern Sámi, each with its own grammar, pronunciation, and written forms. Northern Sámi has the most speakers, around 20,000, but others, like Akkala Sámi, are nearly extinct. These languages don’t resemble Danish pronunciation or structure. They’re closer to Finnish, with vowel harmony and grammatical suffixes.
However, modern efforts have introduced written forms for many Sámi languages, giving them a stronger foothold in education and media. These written languages often adapt Latin alphabets, with unique characters to represent sounds specific to Sámi phonology.
Unlike Danish schools, where Danish words dominate, Sámi languages are taught in specialized programs in Norway, Sweden, and Finland to preserve them.
The fact that Sámi isn’t spoken in Denmark draws attention to the linguistic divide between Danish as a Germanic language and Uralic languages like Sámi. Yet, the Nordic countries collectively work toward preserving these languages under charters like the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, where Denmark participates alongside its Scandinavian neighbors.
Danish Grammar vs. the Spoken LanguageÂ
The language of Denmark somehow manages to follow strict grammatical rules in writing while its spoken form skips half the syllables and slurs the rest.
Grammar
Danish grammar is straightforward in theory. It’s got two genders, common and neuter, that control how adjectives, articles, and pronouns behave. If you’re comparing it to Icelandic, this simplified system might seem like a breeze. But that’s only if you stick to the written language.
Historically, Danish is a descendant of Old Norse, but it picked up a lot of Low German influence along the way. This is why Danish words and sentence structures look different from those of its Scandinavian cousins. You’ll find Danish as a literary language leaning heavily into this historical structure, which is fine for official documents, novels, or media.
Spoken Danish
Danes don’t bother pronouncing every word or syllable. Words run into each other, entire syllables vanish, and you’re left wondering what happened to the neat grammar from the textbooks. For example, “jeg er” (I am) becomes “ja,” because why not?
Regional languages and Danish dialects make things even more interesting. Insular Danish, spoken in some island areas, isn’t always a smooth ride either. Local accents and slurred speech will make you feel confused easily if you’re not a native speaker.
Where the Two Meet
Danes know how to balance both. In Danish schools, they hammer in the written grammar. You learn how Danish began, how to write it properly, and how to use it in formal settings. However, outside the classroom, spoken Danish takes precedence, and the rules become irrelevant. This is why Danes can shift seamlessly between the two and why they’re also pretty proficient at learning foreign languages like German or French. They’re already used to juggling complexities.
What Language Do They Speak in Denmark? ConclusionÂ
So, what language do they speak in Denmark? Sure, it’s Danish, but the story’s bigger than that. Add in the minority languages, the near-perfect English, and the historical connections to German, and you’ve found a country that speaks volumes (literally).
More Articles to Explore
- Where Do They Speak Danish? The Top Danish Speaking Countries
- Is LEGO from Denmark? Origins of the LEGO Group
- Geography, Culture, & History of Denmark and Danish People
- Are Danish and Dutch the Same? Major Differences Between Dutch and Danish
- Make Danish Pastry Dough & Create Excellent Danish Pastries
- Danish Pastry Made Easy: Craft Danish Dough & Cream Cheese Danish
- How to Learn Danish Language (Pronunciation & Grammar) Fast
- Where Is Denmark On the World Map? The Map of Denmark Simplified
- Things to Do in Denmark: 24 Attractions in Denmark That’ll Make You Plan Your Trip
- 14 Popular Facts About Denmark: From Copenhagen to Traditional Danish Food
- Quick Facts About Greenland & the Kingdom of DenmarkÂ
- Can You Consume Marijuana, THC, CBD, & Medical Cannabis in Denmark?
- The Unique Relationship Between Denmark and the European Union (EU)
- What’s the Difference Between Danish and Dutch? The Simple Answer
- Does Denmark own Greenland, the Largest Island in the World?
- Danes Speak English, But Can You Live in Denmark Without Speaking Danish?
- Is Denmark One of the 3 Scandinavian Countries?
- How to Make a Danish Kringle Like Your Favorite Danish Bakery
- 35 Different Ways to Say Thanks in Danish (Starting with Tak)
