Danish

Danish is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Denmark and by Danish-speaking communities around the world. It is the official language of Denmark and is widely used in education, government, media, and daily life. Danish is also used in Greenland and by Danish communities abroad, and it is one of the official languages of the European Union. The language is closely related to Norwegian and Swedish, with a degree of mutual intelligibility that varies by dialect and speaker.

Danish developed from Old East Norse and Middle Danish, with its modern form emerging through standardization in the 18th and 19th centuries. The standard written variety, known as Rigsdansk, is based on the dialects of the eastern part of the Jutland Peninsula and the island of Zealand. Danish uses the Latin alphabet with the three extra letters æ, ø, and å. The orthography is relatively conservative, though spelling does not always reflect pronunciation.

Phonologically, Danish is notable for the use of stød, a phonation or glottal constriction that distinguishes many words. Danish vowels exhibit length contrasts in older descriptions, and the pronunciation of consonants and vowels varies across regional dialects. The language also features a complex pitch and intonation system that contributes to its characteristic rhythm.

Dialects and regional variation are common, with notable groupings such as Zealandic, Jutlandic, and insular dialects. While standard Danish is widely understood, regional differences can affect intelligibility, particularly for learners. Danish is taught as a second language in many countries and remains a central element of Danish identity, alongside literature, culture, and history.