Swedish and Danish Were the same Languages

One thousand years ago Swedish and danish were the same languages - with that sentence the kick-off for the project Spraket Forbinder (Language Connects) started in Malmo. The meeting took place at Malmo University in September. The project is a Swedish-Danish co-operation with the purpose to increase the understanding between the two languages and thereby to stimulate the integration in the 0resund region. Focus is put on culture, history and social issues. At the kick-off 160 teachers from both countries were represented.

It is we ourselves who create the obstacles and one of the most important tools to overcome these obstacles are the teachers, said Matz Nilsson. We will go from learning to knowing to co-operating.

The most essential obstacle to achieve successful integration is proved to be culture and language. Upper secondary pupils from both sides of the Oresund participate in the project "Spraket Forbinder", aiming to facilitate recruitment of students from both countries to universities in the region. In turn, this will make it easier for people to work on either side of the Oresund.

A book written both in Danish and Swedish, three documentary films and a common web site for upper secondary pupils in 0resund is used in the project to increase language understanding.

Spirits ran high at the kick-off in Malmo and the lecturers drew many good laughs.

Hospital treatment is needed to survive but if there should be any meaning in surviving at all people need culture, said for example Goran Stangertz, Director of Helsingborg City Theater.

I often visit Denmark and could easily live, study and work there. I would like to study advertising and media at university, says Swedish Navnit Rooprai from Malmo Latinskola (upper secondary school) were she is studying social science. Navnit is one of the pupils from Sweden and Denmark who produced the teaching material used in the project.

The hardest thing has been to understand Swedish, says Anders Jensen from the Danish town Tastrup were he is presently studying at a trading school. Anders is one of the Danish pupils participating in the project.

The purpose with using films as teaching material has been to reflect how we, young people from two bordering countries understand each other. I thought before that Danish and Swedish youngsters were completely different but the work with this project has given me the insight that we are completely alike. My thoughts were prejudices, says Anders.

Project turnover is 400.000 Euro. Estimated participating students in 2003-2004:15.000. The projectis financed mainly by: Danish and Swedish local authorities together with Interreg III A Oresund.