Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Why is there no word for please in the Nordic languages?
Language is a structured system of communication that people use to
share thoughts, feelings, and ideas using words, sounds, writing, or hand signs.
In English, you may say “please” to be polite or ask something, and “thank you”
to show appreciation. In Japanese, they say “Suimasen” for excuse me, please, I’m
sorry, or thank you. In Scandinavian languages, such as Danish, Norwegian,
Swedish, and Finnish, there are no words that directly translate “please”.
Then, how do they show or add politeness when they ask someone to do something?
Culturally, they prize directness and egalitarianism. People prefer to get
straight to the point. If you still want to be extra-polite, you could say “may
I ask for” in Danish, add “thank you” to the request in Swedish, or uplift the
end of the request in Norwegian, of course, in their languages. When you are in
a different culture, you’d better read the air, learn from how others say or do
things in particular situations, instead of searching for a direct translation
from your own language.
Read the article and learn how politeness is presented in Scandinavian
cultures.
