Learning Swedish through Jazz?
Through a series of events, I pushed myself to network with gig-goers and music enthusiasts, I slowly became immersed in life outside the laboratory and conference halls. I took Swedish classes and now I force myself (and my Swedish friends) to speak Swedish whenever we meet.
It is not uncommon for English speakers to survive without a word of the local language here, unless they want to live in Sweden for a long period, such as five years or more. And to my surprise, I kind of feel refreshed after learning more and more words.
I find that even a little knowledge of the language helps break down barriers. And I would like to share an idea about what I think could assist those who are beginners in learning Swedish. Having fun and learning the culture while improving your language skill.
Passive listening can play an important part in learning new languages. Hence, adjusting your ears to Swedish radio, podcast or music can come in handy. However, when I try to follow Swedish music most of the pronunciation is distorted by the sound of the instrument and the lyrics are often indirect. The end result is quite frustrating. So maybe no pop music for a beginner.
How jazz helped my Swedish
A while back, I stumbled upon the work of a Swedish jazz-folk-pop musician Edda Magnason and her 2013 film Monica Z. The song I share here was performed by Edda, who played Monica Zetterlund, a Swedish celebrity and jazz singer. The story of Edda’s career and Monica Zetterlund’s life is such fascinating topics that they must be discussed separately.
So I won’t talk about them here. Instead what I will share with you is my opinion that both Edda and Monica’s songs are perfect for Swedish training. And if you like jazz, well, then this is perfect for you.
The simplicity in the lyrics requires less effort to understand than most Swedish pop songs, and each word is sung at a comfortable pace. Listeners can focus on the sentences easily, and if you’re eager like me you can play a game. You can try to guess the words and write them down while listening, then only crosscheck the lyrics after. Just try and listen.
There are more Swedish jazz songs from other musicians that should not be missed, of course. But then again, it doesn’t even have to be jazz. I found a lesser known artist, My & Mats, who, I believe, make Swedish children’s songs. And just like most classics for kids, the repetition and clarity of the lyrics help people practice the language.
Further reading
