Swedish language

Västgötalagen blad 21

Gustav Vasa Bible 1541

August Strindberg

Dem-dom

Oikokatu

Estonian archipelago (Saaremaa and Hiiumaa)

Swedish language is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and parts of Finland, where it has an official status alongside Finnish. It is also one of the official languages of the European Union. Swedish is closely related to the other Scandinavian languages, including Norwegian, Danish, and Icelandic, with which it maintains a degree of mutual intelligibility.

History

The history of the Swedish language begins with the arrival of the Germanic tribes in the Scandinavian region during the pre-Viking Age. Old Norse, the common ancestor of all North Germanic languages, began to diverge into distinct languages, including Old Swedish, during the Viking Age. The Swedish language has undergone significant changes over the centuries, divided into periods such as Old Swedish (800–1526), Middle Swedish (1526–1732), and Modern Swedish (1732–present).

Dialects

Swedish dialects can be broadly categorized into six major groups: South Swedish dialects, Götaland dialects, Svealand dialects, Norrland dialects, Finland Swedish, and Gotland dialects. Each dialect group exhibits unique linguistic features in terms of pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. However, the standard form of Swedish, known as Standard Swedish, is based on the dialects spoken in and around the capital, Stockholm.

Phonology

Swedish phonology features a relatively large vowel inventory, with 9 vowels that can be long or short, creating 18 vowel phonemes in total. Consonant sounds in Swedish include the distinctive sj-sound, represented by a variety of spellings such as sj, skj, stj, and sk. The pitch accent in Swedish, which can distinguish word meanings, is another notable aspect of its phonology.

Grammar

Swedish grammar is characterized by the use of definite and indefinite articles, the absence of case marking except in the personal pronouns, and the use of a subject-verb-object word order. Nouns are divided into two genders – common and neuter – and are inflected for number and definiteness. Verbs are conjugated according to tense, mood, and aspect but not according to person or number.

Vocabulary

The Swedish vocabulary has been influenced by many languages over the centuries, including Latin, French, German, and English. Many loanwords from these languages have been fully integrated into Swedish, while others retain foreign pronunciations and inflections.

Writing System

Swedish uses the Latin alphabet, supplemented by the three additional letters Å, Ä, and Ö, placed at the end of the alphabet. The orthography of Swedish is largely phonemic, meaning that the spelling closely matches the pronunciation.

Usage

As of the early 21st century, Swedish is spoken by approximately 10 million people, the majority of whom live in Sweden. There is also a significant Swedish-speaking population in Finland, particularly in the coastal areas and the Åland Islands. Swedish is used in all facets of life in Sweden and Finland, including government, education, and media.

Education and Preservation

Swedish is taught in schools both within and outside Sweden, promoting its use and preservation. In Finland, Swedish is a mandatory subject in schools where Finnish is the language of instruction. Efforts to preserve the Swedish language include promoting Swedish literature, media, and cultural heritage, as well as supporting the teaching of Swedish as a second language.