Swedish Culture (Part 7) - Key words

Key words

            The official language in Sweden is svenska (Swedish). However, there are minority languages that are also spoken in the country, such as Finnish, Meänkieli, Sami language, Romani and Yiddish. Besides, there are dialects in the boards with Finland, Norway and Denmark. The minority languages are respected in the country, a clear example about it is the existence of songbooks (book with hymns sung in services) in Sami language and Finnish in the cities with many speakers of these languages.

            There are three words in Swedish that there is not exact translation to other languages, since they are loaded with meaning for the Swedes.

One of these words is Fika, it may be definite as a snack which can be done by anyone, in anywhere, anytime. However, it is not just a snack. It is a moment of socialization in the family, religious community, school, group meetings, and work and with friends. Swedish society is considered individualistic when compared with other societies as Brazilian society (which is said to be collectivistic, but it is a change process). So, in this way, Fika time is deeply important and significant, because it is the time that people have to exchange ideas and simply talk to each other. The most popular Fika is a cup of coffee and Kanelbullar.

Fika 

            Other important word is Varsågod, which can be translated as “you’re welcome” and “continue”. This word is said to answer when someone says Tack (thank you, in Swedish). It is also used when somebody cooks a meal; it is polite that who is sitting around the table waits for who has cooked/ set the table says Varsågod, only then they serve themselves. This situation happens not just in the families, but also in restaurants too, because generally the waiters (if there is in the restaurant) when they deliver the food on the tables, they also say Varsågod. When you have finished your meal, especially inside the families, those who had been eaten say “Tack” to the person who cooked/ served the meal.        

            Swedes like so much to say Tack. As when someone is going to thank other for something, as to ask, solicit or compare something. Thereby, it is common to hear in restaurants and stores, the clients ask what they want and say “thank you”. If someone is asking information on the streets also is important to say “thank you” together the question. 

            It is possible to say that the third word almost represents Swedish society. Lagom, which means “appropriate” or “moderate” is what Swedish society waits for each Swede person, about his behavior. Sometimes, a Swede person may feel suspicious when somebody praise in excess, because he/she thinks he/she is doing just enough, just his/her part that must be done; and, as it is his/her obligation, he/she does not need a “moral recompense”, in other words, a praise. Of course, it is said about a general observation of society, however, each person is unique and is formed by a lot of influences.

            It does not mean that Swedes do not like praises and they do not look for acknowledgment in their area of work. Sometimes, someone who tries to stand out too much is not well regarded by society, as it is expected to moderate behavior.   

            This situation can be more well understand with examples. If, inside a group of friends, one of them makes dinner and the other begin to praise too much, who cooked probably will think “Is it really good? Why are praising so much?” If your computer or other machine broken and you know that your neighbor can repair, when you ask, probably he will answer that “well, can try to repair”, however both know that he will repair it.