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  3. Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

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  • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

    Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

    In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

    When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

    Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

    In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

    #offtopic

    the_wub@mastodon.socialT This user is from outside of this forum
    the_wub@mastodon.socialT This user is from outside of this forum
    the_wub@mastodon.social
    wrote last edited by
    #31

    @randahl I also have to admit that although I am fluent in Norwegian, having lived here for more than a decade and can read Danish and Swedish, most spoken Danish is still incomprehensible to me.

    I have speak to Danes in English.

    https://youtu.be/ykj3Kpm3O0g

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

      Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

      In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

      When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

      Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

      In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

      #offtopic

      andresimous@oslo.townA This user is from outside of this forum
      andresimous@oslo.townA This user is from outside of this forum
      andresimous@oslo.town
      wrote last edited by
      #32

      @randahl
      Hihi,
      i was giving away some cans of Jule øl for chrismas here in Germany, wich leads to confusion, because the german word Öl means oil.

      the_wub@mastodon.socialT 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • pointysticksncoffee@wandering.shopP pointysticksncoffee@wandering.shop

        @randahl @cookingroffa in The Netherlands, Nutricia, a producer of a wide variety of foodstuff, including baby food, confused English speakers with this gem. Translation: mama, this/that one, that one, that one… Please

        Link Preview Image
        publictorsten@mastodon.socialP This user is from outside of this forum
        publictorsten@mastodon.socialP This user is from outside of this forum
        publictorsten@mastodon.social
        wrote last edited by
        #33

        @pointysticksncoffee @randahl @cookingroffa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaXigSu72A4

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • mad@freiburg.socialM mad@freiburg.social

          @randahl @rhempel

          Same here in Germany. Some people believe "Sale" is a brand.

          fiee@literatur.socialF This user is from outside of this forum
          fiee@literatur.socialF This user is from outside of this forum
          fiee@literatur.social
          wrote last edited by
          #34

          @mad @randahl @rhempel
          No, no, that only hints at salted prices!
          (In German that means overly expensive, dunno if it works in English.)

          cppguy@infosec.spaceC 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

            Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

            In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

            When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

            Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

            In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

            #offtopic

            gpshewan@mastodon.socialG This user is from outside of this forum
            gpshewan@mastodon.socialG This user is from outside of this forum
            gpshewan@mastodon.social
            wrote last edited by
            #35

            @randahl I don’t think it’s just the translations, I’m always reminded of Andre Wickstroms stand up about Danish 😏 (old and the sound drops for a few seconds) https://youtu.be/ssmIARL5RvE?si=U44nykPzXLuK5Xfk

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

              Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

              In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

              When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

              Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

              In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

              #offtopic

              mikill@mastodon.worldM This user is from outside of this forum
              mikill@mastodon.worldM This user is from outside of this forum
              mikill@mastodon.world
              wrote last edited by
              #36

              @randahl Funny but not real. At least not common.

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

                Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

                In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

                When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

                Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

                In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

                #offtopic

                technozid@friendica.a-zwenkau.deT This user is from outside of this forum
                technozid@friendica.a-zwenkau.deT This user is from outside of this forum
                technozid@friendica.a-zwenkau.de
                wrote last edited by
                #37
                @randahl In German speaking countries we have a lot of shops labelled "Bad Design" (bathroom design), like this one: tirolerin.at/wp-content/upload…
                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

                  Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

                  In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

                  When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

                  Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

                  In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

                  #offtopic

                  irisfreundin@troet.cafeI This user is from outside of this forum
                  irisfreundin@troet.cafeI This user is from outside of this forum
                  irisfreundin@troet.cafe
                  wrote last edited by
                  #38

                  @randahl My observation is that English speakers have problems with _any_ foreign language. They principally expect the whole world naming things the same way as they do. 😉

                  1 Reply Last reply
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                  • gupperduck@mastodon.socialG gupperduck@mastodon.social

                    @randahl

                    Or the evergreen road signs "Fart kontrol" 🙂

                    fiee@literatur.socialF This user is from outside of this forum
                    fiee@literatur.socialF This user is from outside of this forum
                    fiee@literatur.social
                    wrote last edited by
                    #39

                    @Gupperduck @randahl
                    WRT street signs, I love the French “Rappel” (remember the speed limit), which means about “tantrum“ or “to rattle” in German.

                    jowodo@mas.toJ 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • andresimous@oslo.townA andresimous@oslo.town

                      @randahl
                      Hihi,
                      i was giving away some cans of Jule øl for chrismas here in Germany, wich leads to confusion, because the german word Öl means oil.

                      the_wub@mastodon.socialT This user is from outside of this forum
                      the_wub@mastodon.socialT This user is from outside of this forum
                      the_wub@mastodon.social
                      wrote last edited by
                      #40

                      @andresimous @randahl That's easier for English speakers as we use the words "beer" and "ale" interchangably.

                      So we have both the Germanic and Norse derived words for beer in the language.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

                        Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

                        In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

                        When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

                        Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

                        In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

                        #offtopic

                        scubyw@mastodon.nzS This user is from outside of this forum
                        scubyw@mastodon.nzS This user is from outside of this forum
                        scubyw@mastodon.nz
                        wrote last edited by
                        #41

                        @randahl https://mastodon.social/@randahl/116186288182184462
                        Clear as butter. 'Yag ni taler Danske'.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

                          Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

                          In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

                          When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

                          Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

                          In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

                          #offtopic

                          ranaldclouston@fediscience.orgR This user is from outside of this forum
                          ranaldclouston@fediscience.orgR This user is from outside of this forum
                          ranaldclouston@fediscience.org
                          wrote last edited by
                          #42

                          @randahl my father in law enjoyed that there was a cookbook called 'God Mad', which sounds like something a superstitious caveman might declare.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

                            Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

                            In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

                            When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

                            Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

                            In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

                            #offtopic

                            connynasch@mastodon.socialC This user is from outside of this forum
                            connynasch@mastodon.socialC This user is from outside of this forum
                            connynasch@mastodon.social
                            wrote last edited by
                            #43

                            @randahl I have never seen it like that, have read all the comments with a huge grin! My country is multilingual and I personally speak 5 languages fluently. 🤔 🤗

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

                              @rhempel nowadays were have the opposite problem, as window signs will often say "Sale!", which is confusing to Danes, as that means "Halls!", as if there is some big rooms inside the building.

                              riley@toot.catR This user is from outside of this forum
                              riley@toot.catR This user is from outside of this forum
                              riley@toot.cat
                              wrote last edited by
                              #44

                              @randahl "Here, you can get your halls decked! (Gay apparel sold separately.)" @rhempel

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • mad@freiburg.socialM mad@freiburg.social

                                @randahl @rhempel

                                Same here in Germany. Some people believe "Sale" is a brand.

                                harald@mementomori.socialH This user is from outside of this forum
                                harald@mementomori.socialH This user is from outside of this forum
                                harald@mementomori.social
                                wrote last edited by
                                #45

                                @mad @randahl @rhempel Sale! is a chain of grocery stores here in Finland

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

                                  Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

                                  In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

                                  When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

                                  Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

                                  In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

                                  #offtopic

                                  rayotron@mstdn.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
                                  rayotron@mstdn.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
                                  rayotron@mstdn.social
                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #46

                                  @randahl
                                  As an arthouse cinema projectionist I learned that Danish and Swedish films end with an insult. I don't think they're calling the whole audience sluts, just that one person in row three.

                                  tomminieminen@mastodontti.fiT 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • ciarani@mastodon.greenC ciarani@mastodon.green

                                    @randahl One day, Middelfart is going to open an art museum and the sign pointing to Middelfart Kunst is going to make visitors so happy.

                                    Link Preview Image
                                    aileen22@mastodon.socialA This user is from outside of this forum
                                    aileen22@mastodon.socialA This user is from outside of this forum
                                    aileen22@mastodon.social
                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #47

                                    @CiaraNi @randahl 🤭

                                    ciarani@mastodon.greenC 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

                                      Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

                                      In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

                                      When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

                                      Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

                                      In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

                                      #offtopic

                                      cblte@nrw.socialC This user is from outside of this forum
                                      cblte@nrw.socialC This user is from outside of this forum
                                      cblte@nrw.social
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #48

                                      @randahl @lenzgr I fart = Ich fahre.. 🙂 hihihi

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • aileen22@mastodon.socialA aileen22@mastodon.social

                                        @CiaraNi @randahl 🤭

                                        ciarani@mastodon.greenC This user is from outside of this forum
                                        ciarani@mastodon.greenC This user is from outside of this forum
                                        ciarani@mastodon.green
                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #49

                                        @Aileen22 @randahl 🙂

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • randahl@mastodon.socialR randahl@mastodon.social

                                          Examples that Danish is the most confusing language for English speakers:

                                          In Denmark, when washing machines are done, their displays write, "Slut!", which means "Finished".

                                          When someone enters an elevator, the display changes to "I fart", which means "On the move".

                                          Tourists have difficulty finding a nice WC, because the signs often say "Bad toilet", meaning "Bathroom and toilet".

                                          In lobbies with multiple elevators, one sign may say, "Gods elevator", which means "Freight elevator".

                                          #offtopic

                                          brianjohnson@mastodon.sdf.orgB This user is from outside of this forum
                                          brianjohnson@mastodon.sdf.orgB This user is from outside of this forum
                                          brianjohnson@mastodon.sdf.org
                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #50

                                          @randahl @CiaraNi My favourite is visitors seeing a walk-in cupboard with "LAGER" on the door, that is filled with all sorts of stuff, but never any beer.

                                          ciarani@mastodon.greenC 1 Reply Last reply
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