The secret to Denmark's economic success: the word "hej"
The Curious Capitalist is going on a road trip next week to Denmark (because that's where it's all happening), and I've been studying up on the language. It rocks. This, from Aalborg University "medialogy" professor Jens Arnspang, demonstrates how linguistic efficiency allows Danes to devote valuable brain cells to more important matters:
Good Morning: Hej
Good Midday: Hej
Good Evening : Hej
Hello: Hej
Goodbye: Hej
Happy to see you: Hej
Oh, are you there again: Hej
We met before: Hej
We never met: Hej
What a surprise to see you here: Hej
Oh, I did not expect you back so soon: Hej
Could you do me a favor: Hej
Please don't interfere here: Hej
Get lost: Hej
Please help me: Hej
I'd like to get to know you: Hej
Would you like to get to know me: Hej
I love you: Hej
Get out of my life: Hej
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1
Well, the real survival words up there are in fact Øl (beer) and Polser (sausage) and the alternate grunting of these two at regular intervals in the right circumstances should ensure that you come back alive. As to their exact pronunciation, well, one of my (Danish) great aunts used to quip that Danish was not a language but some throat disease, and sometimes I wonder if she was not right. Have a great time.
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2
I've got to wonder, Justin, where did this obsession with Denmark originate? I find myself now thinking Denmark must be heaven on earth.
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3
Hej.
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4
Touché.
Hej.
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5
I hear that its license plates carry the motto "Land of Misunderstandings."
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6
That conversation sounds familiar.
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7
I hate you: Hej
Thats funny: Hej
Your cool: Hej
But what if they get confused?
Gee I'm glad I don't speak Danish. -
8
Møjn!
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