Archive for the 'Norwegian Culture' Category
June 11, 2019
Summer Solstice Celebration: Midsummer Day in Norway
Around the time of the summer solstice, Norway begins its celebration of Midsummer. With the weather warm and the days long, there couldn’t be a better time to enjoy the Midsummer festival Norway puts on each year. On Midsummer, Norway’s traditions have lost much of their original meaning and significance, but Norwegians still find Midsummer Day a time of fun and merriment.
In learning about Midsummer’s Eve traditions in Norway, you’re opening your eyes to some unique facets of the country’s culture. And as any successful language-learner can attest to, understanding a country’s culture is essential in mastering its language.
At NorwegianClass101.com, we aim to make this learning journey both fun and informative!
1. What is... Show more
May 2, 2019
How to Celebrate Norwegian Independence Day
Norwegian Independence Day is the most important holiday in the country. It holds such significance to Norwegians, in fact, that celebrations aren’t limited to Norway (such as the celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day in Ballard, Seattle in the United States). Norwegian Constitution Day commemorates the date that Norway gained independence through the finally accepted Norway Constitution.
In learning about this holiday, you’re gaining insight into Norway’s long history and rich culture. Cultural knowledge is vital to learning any language, and at NorwegianClass101.com, we hope to make this learning expedition both fun and informative! Learn how to say "Happy Constitution Day" in Norwegian and more with us!
1. What is... Show more
February 7, 2019
How to Say I Love You in Norwegian – Romantic Word List
Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Norwegian could be just what you need to find it.
Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Norwegian partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At NorwegianClass101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Norwegian lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra... Show more
January 30, 2019
Norwegian Sami Culture: What is Sami National Day in Norway?
The Sami people are Norway’s “indigenous people,” or in Norwegian, urbefolkning. The Sami are not only found in Norway, but also in Sweden, Finland, and Russia. The Sami are thereby a minority of four different countries and at one point in history were strongly looked down upon.
However, today in Norway, Sami people are rather celebrated throughout the country. This change makes Sami National Day one of the most important Norwegian holidays to learn about in order to delve into its history, culture, and values. That includes its newfound appreciation for its indigenous people.
Our goal here at NorwegianClass101.com is to help you master not only the Norwegian language, but the country and its people as a whole.
That said, let’s... Show more
March 19, 2018
How to Celebrate April Fools’ Day in Norwegian
Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar.
However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day... Show more
December 26, 2017
How to Say Happy New Year in Norwegian & New Year Wishes
Learn all the Norwegian New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join NorwegianClass101 for a special Norwegian New Year celebration!
Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March - December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.
So, how do you say Happy New... Show more
December 14, 2017
How to Say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Norwegian
Do you know any ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Norwegian? NorwegianClass101 brings you easy-to-learn translations and the correct pronunciation of Norwegian Christmas phrases!
Christmas is the annual commemorative festival of Christ’s birth in the Western Christian Church. It takes place on December 25th and is usually celebrated with much food and fanfare! However, not all cultures celebrate Christmas. In some countries, Christmas is not even a public holiday! However, many countries have adapted Christmas and its religious meaning to tally with their own beliefs, or simply in acknowledgment of the festival’s importance to other cultures. If you want to impress native Norwegian speakers with culturally-appropriate... Show more
July 28, 2017
How to Start Thinking in Norwegian
Learn 4 tools and techniques to stop translating in your head and start thinking in
Going through lessons is enough to get by and learn the basics of , but to truly become fluent you need to be able to think in . This will allow you to have conversations with ease, read smoothly, and comprehensively understand natives. To do this, you need to go beyond just completing daily or weekly lessons.
We naturally translate in our heads because it's viewed as the easiest way to learn the definitions needed when learning a language. This way of learning can actually hinder your skills and fluency later on. If your brain has to make neural connections between the word you're learning, what it means in your native tongue, and the physical object... Show more
August 25, 2015
6 Reasons to Learn a Language Before You Travel
There are plenty of destinations where you can get by with English, but sometimes you want to do better than just ‘get by’. Here are 6 reasons you should learn the basics of the language of your next trip destination.
1. You will be able to discover your destination better than other tourists.
Getting by is one thing, but actually experiencing a trip abroad is quite another. No amount of guidebooks and online research can compensate for a basic lack of language ability. Speaking the language of your destination permits you to explore that destination beyond the regular tourist traps. Your language skills will not only allow you to dig into all the hidden gems of your destination, but they will also allow you to mingle with the... Show more
June 12, 2015
5 Tips To Motivate Yourself While Learning A Second Language
1. Schedule your time.
One of the most important factors in keeping your motivation up is developing it into a habit. Whether it be 20 minutes or 3 hours, schedule time to study every day and stick to it. Regular exposure solidifies what you learn and keeps you progressing. To make sure you stick to your routine, a great idea is to build a schedule for your day and decide that every day/Monday/weekend, you study from 6pm to 8pm. Just remember that 30 minutes a day, every day, is better than a binge 8-hour study session at the end of the week (though it’s obviously better than nothing).
2. Learn a word a day with our great Word of the Day learning tool.
Trying to learn everything at once and getting overwhelmed by the sheer number... Show more