The Curious Capitalist, Justin Fox, Economy, Markets, Business, TIME

September 20, 2007 11:07

The secret to Denmark's economic success: the word "hej"

Posted by Justin Fox | Comments (8) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This

The Curious Capitalist is going on a road trip next week to Denmark (because that's where it's all happening), and I've been studying up on the language. It rocks. This, from Aalborg University "medialogy" professor Jens Arnspang, demonstrates how linguistic efficiency allows Danes to devote valuable brain cells to more important matters:

Good Morning: Hej

Good Midday: Hej

Good Evening : Hej

Hello: Hej

Goodbye: Hej

Happy to see you: Hej

Oh, are you there again: Hej

We met before: Hej

We never met: Hej

What a surprise to see you here: Hej

Oh, I did not expect you back so soon: Hej

Could you do me a favor: Hej

Please don't interfere here: Hej

Get lost: Hej

Please help me: Hej

I'd like to get to know you: Hej

Would you like to get to know me: Hej

I love you: Hej

Get out of my life: Hej

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Reader Comments (8)

Henri Tournyol du Clos:

Well, the real survival words up there are in fact Øl (beer) and Polser (sausage) and the alternate grunting of these two at regular intervals in the right circumstances should ensure that you come back alive. As to their exact pronunciation, well, one of my (Danish) great aunts used to quip that Danish was not a language but some throat disease, and sometimes I wonder if she was not right. Have a great time.

Posted by Henri Tournyol du Clos | September 20, 2007 11:58 AM

Matt:

I've got to wonder, Justin, where did this obsession with Denmark originate? I find myself now thinking Denmark must be heaven on earth.

Posted by Matt | September 20, 2007 2:03 PM

Justin Fox:

Hej.

Posted by Justin Fox | September 20, 2007 3:16 PM

Matt:

Touché.

Hej.

Posted by Matt | September 20, 2007 4:23 PM

Peter V.: