Denmark
doesn't look like much on a map, but it deserves
your attention. Stone Age artifacts, Vikings, amber
jewelry and "Bog People" all play a part in the
tumultuous history of this ancient kingdom. Closer
to our time, the Danish philosopher Søren
Kierkegaard has inspired many people to learn the
language in order to read his philosophical works.
As the Father of Existentialism, Kierkegaard has
influenced a century and a half of religious and
philosophical thinkers. Another famous Dane is the
King of Fairytales, Hans Christian Andersen. Even
though his 156 tales have been translated into an
incredible number of languages, they still sound
better in Danish!
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Danes
do not "sing" their language like the Swedes and
Norwegians. Actually, Danes may seem to mumble -
much like Americans - and there is a strong
similarity between English and Danish vocabulary.
If you give it a shot, you will have a good chance
of understanding the inhabitants of this small,
social-democratic, welfare society with its strong
advocates for ecological progress, anti-pollution
initiatives, and aid and assistance to third-world
countries in need.
The
head of the world's oldest monarchy, Queen
Margrethe II, lives in the capital, Copenhagen, a
charming city with canals, Royal Palaces and the
famous Tivoli Gardens. The rest of the country
offers a variety of sights and cultural, as well
as, historical opportunities, and although Denmark
can boast of no mountains, it is pleased with its
friendly and gentle landscape. As a student of
Danish, opportunities abound for study trips, not
forgetting Legoland, and interaction with the
"great" Danes.
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