Well, we already know that Swedish is a hard language to learn, especially if you are from an English-speaking country with a whole other vocabulary. Some of the hardest words to pronounce is ‘sju’ (seven) and ‘sjuksköterska’ (nurse). The ‘sj’ sound is very special for Sweden and many people have a hard time getting it right, as it kind of comes from your throat.

Many words are similar to English, German or French but swedes are often told that it sounds like we are singing when we talk. Which must come across kind of happy and beautiful. Right? Or is it just some lines of; “hubbie dubbie hubbie du”, like the muppets Swedish chef?
What language is the most beautiful one according to you? And how far down the list is Swedish? Let us know! (But don’t make the same mistake as Evan and actually tell a swede that his language comes after German and Russian, you will most certainly make enemies.)

Anyway, anyone can learn a new language. You just have to be interested and work hard. A tip is to watch Swedish TV (cartoons most suitable), read children’s books and talk to kids. They are, definitely, the best teachers!
Question is, how many of you can do these tongue twisters?

“Sex laxar i en laxask.”

”Sju sjösjuka sjömän, sjönk på skeppet Shanghai.”

”Kvistfritt kvastskaft.”

”Klockan sju sitter en sjuk katt på sjukan och sjunger.”

Of course you will need some help with how this should actually sound. Watch this clip and try to do it better than Evan. Or why not try “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?”. You can also ad “As much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood.” to make it even harder.