At almost every store I go into, at every restaurant I walk to, and even in the elevators, everyone speaks to me in Danish.
I know Danish is the official language of Denmark, but it seems most of my friends are not being regularly spoken to in Danish. However, it seems that I am everywhere I go.
I suppose it is the combination of my blonde hair and dark clothing that makes people believe I am a local, but alas, I have never been to the country before. I would rather fit in than stick out.
Unfortunately, the lack of Danish language knowledge makes me feel helpless and dumb.
Not only do I have no idea how to respond when people begin speaking to me in the language, but I also cannot read anything that has been written on advertisements, menus, and even water bottles. I have almost bought sparkling water rather than still water multiple times because quite honestly, I can’t tell the difference in their Danish words. As if I knew what the Danish words were in the first place.
I feel so much better knowing that most of the people here speak English as well, but when I left the city of Copenhagen, it was not quite the same. I tried to order an ice cream cone and they had no clue what I meant when I said “waffle cone” and “rainbow sprinkles.” It was like I was speaking a foreign language to them. Probably because I was.
I would really like to learn Danish, but it is so hard going into a country and knowing absolutely nothing about the language, then suddenly being immersed into it. They say it is easier to learn a language when you are in the country, but how can I learn the language when I have no base? It is like running on uneven sidewalks; I do not know how to begin controlling my footing.
However, the majority of the people have been very friendly, despite my lack of understanding of their language. Many people speak in perfect English, which makes communication much easier.
As a person who has rarely left the United States, I am not used to being the one unable to speak the native tongue. This has been an incredibly eye opening experience, seeing things from another perspective. Instead of being in the majority for languages, I am in the minority. However, because of the way I appear, people still believe I am in the majority. I am not upset they assume I am Danish, it simply makes communicating that much harder and more embarrassing. The look of confusion and horror I likely give off when someone speaks to me in Danish is mortifying, and I am sure they think I am just another dumb, uncultured American who came to Denmark without knowing Danish.
I hope to begin picking up some Danish phrases throughout my time here. I have found a link with some useful Danish phrases and their pronunciation. I hope they will help me successfully let the people know that I am not actually Danish.
http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/danish.php