Translating is more than just understanding language it's also about understanding cultures. If all you're doing is shuffling words from one language to another, you often miss the nuances of the language that only come with a deeper understanding of the culture. In the 28 years I have been in Denmark, I have become fluent in both language and culture - and not just "flæskesteg*" and "frikadeller*" either. I know that when a 'Nordjyde' says "Det gik ikke helt galt*" it means the opposite and also when to use "Møjn*" in Sønderjylland. What you get when you avail yourself of my services is first class translation with solid cultural ballast and an eye for the right turn of phrase that says it all.
And if you don't understand Danish, here's a short glossary to start you off.
- *"Flæskesteg"
- Roast pork. Often eaten with red cabbage and caramelised potatoes. A staple of the Danish Christmas Dinner.
- *"Frikadeller"
- Small meatballs. A children's favourite - also often eaten with red cabbage.
- *"Det gik ikke helt galt"
- Loosely translated as; 'it wasn't a complete fiasco,' but with typical dry Jutish understatement meaning the opposite - 'It was brilliant!'
- *"Møjn"
- South Jutland dialect. Means goodbye but only in the morning.
- *Nordjyde
- A person from the North of Jutland. The only bit of Denmark actually attached to mainland Europe.
- *Sønderjylland
- South Jutland. The opposite of North Jutland and the bit closest to Germany. Now that you're fluent in Danish, you should be able to work out that a person from Sønderjyland is called a Sønderjyde.
Not a lot of people know this...
Having bombarded Copenhagen in 1807, as punishment for choosing the wrong side in the Napoleonic Wars, but mostly in order to gain free access to the Baltic Sea, the British absconded with the entire Danish Fleet. A ship's bell was recently returned to the Danish Navy - with apologies.