Learning a foreign language always opens up a little more of the world and a lot of new opportunities for the learner. Norwegian is no exception. Although it is not as popular as, say, English, Spanish or French, it is an amazing language that is well worth learning.
Let us take a look at some of the great reasons that make Norwegian worth learning.
Learning Norwegian makes learning other Scandinavian languages much easier
And not only that – just by learning Norwegian, you will be able to communicate with not only Norwegians, but also Swedes and Danes – and you will also be able to read some Dutch/Flemish and Icelandic too (not much though, but a little).
These languages share some vocabulary, similarities in pronunciation and/or writing. So, if you aspire to become a polyglot and learn several languages, want to travel or work in Scandinavian countries and in Norway in particular, Norwegian is the language to learn.
Norwegian even shares similarities with Germanic languages from other subgroups, namely English and German. If you are a native speaker of one of these languages, learning Norwegian will be quite easy. And if not – learning these languages after learning Norwegian will also be easier.
It opens up traveling opportunities
Norwegian is an official language of only one country – Norway. It is relatively small but immensely beautiful. And although quite a few people in Norway speak English, knowledge of the local language will make your travel even more authentic and rich in experiences.
Norwegian is also spoken – or understood fairly well – in other Scandinavian countries such as Sweden or Denmark. There are many other countries in the world where there is a large Norwegian-speaking part of the population, including, among others, Spain, the USA, and Canada.
It is a way to learn the Scandinavian culture and make friends
Scandinavian countries, Norway in particular, are not only countries of immense natural beauty. They are also countries of rich culture, exciting mythology, simple, but good food and interesting people.
Although it is possible to enjoy a culture without learning the language, knowledge of Norwegian will allow you to truly immerse yourself into Norwegian and Scandinavian culture.
As for people, there are some who call Norwegians rude, however, that is not so! Norwegian people are very polite. However, they do not want to unnecessarily bother others and ask for help only when they need to, which can come across as standoffish, which is most often not the case. Take some time to get to know them, and you will make many good Norwegian friends.
Boost your brainpower
Learning a foreign language is immensely good for your brain: it trains your memory and prevents the brain from aging. So, if you want your wits to stay sharp longer – learn a foreign language.
And why not Norwegian? It is relatively easy to learn; it is said, that Norwegian is one of the easiest foreign languages to learn. But it also sounds beautiful, it is fun and quite useful – just look at the other reasons listed in this article.
Move to Norway
Norway is a politically stable, modern and highly developed country with a very strong economy. Also, have you heard that people living in Scandinavian countries are among the happiest people in the world?
Norway may be a great place to relocate to. However, although quite a lot of people speak English there, it won’t be enough to live, work or study in Norway – you need to learn Norwegian.
As you can see, there are many great reasons to learn Norwegian. It opens up the world of Scandinavian languages, countries, and culture – while also boosting your brainpower. And if you are thinking of working and living in Norway, it is a must.
If you are still considering if you should learn Norwegian or not – stop considering, and start learning, don’t waste your time.