Tag: language

Our February social at the Norwegian Church, Sunday 11 February 2024

Our first social of 2024 will be dedicated to a subject close to many of your hearts – learning Norwegian.

Whether you’re in a relationship with a Norwegian, have kids of dual heritage, or would just like to immerse yourself more deeply in the culture and traditions of Norway, learning at least a little of the language is often at the top of the list of things to do. But how to begin – or carry on – when you’re not surrounded by Norwegian speakers?

Come and chat with several members who’ve learned in a variety of ways – through online apps like DuoLingo to fully-fledged undergraduate university degrees. Find out how hard it is to learn Norwegian – and why you have a choice of two written forms! Yes, if two Norwegians are going to argue about anything, it will as likely as anything be about the language!

Language is a source of pride and identity — and getting a little acquainted with Norwegian makes Norway a whole lot more accessible, even if every one you ever meet seems to speak English as well as you do!

As usual, there’ll be coffee and cakes – and you will be welcome to chat, whether it be in English, Welsh or Norwegian.

Each year a handful of people contact the society to inquire about learning Norwegian.

As far as languages go, it’s not the most complicated. The grammar is fairly simple and many words are similar to English. However, it is hard to know where to begin if you didn’t have the good fortune to be born and raised in Norway. We are therefore delighted that this month’s social event we will be joined by an expert.

Anna-Marie Kjøde Olsen is a Norwegian teacher and academic from the University of Bergen who is currently spending a year at Swansea University, where she is continuing her PhD research into how adults learn Norwegian as a second language, particularly those who haven’t had the benefit of advanced language learning in the past.

Anna-Marie will talk about her work with international students, immigrants, refugees and other adult learners, and answer your questions about the language and how to go about learning or improving.

Join us at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff on Saturday 25 March at 2.30 pm. In celebration of Norwegian waffle week (seriously!), we will be serving fresh waffles in the traditional style. The café will be open at lunchtime for those seeking something more savoury or substantial. And of course, as usual, there will be the chance to chat over coffee – whether in Norwegian, Welsh or English!