Idioms and pragmatic routines in Danish and in learning Danish

Abstract

Lexical phrases play an important role in communication and are essential for native-like language use within a speech community. They are common in both spoken and written language and can make a significant difference, particularly with regard to appropriate and polite language use. This article presents a study of idioms and pragmatic routines in Danish, compared with corresponding phrases in Icelandic, based on the author’s research in this field. The main findings are highlighted and discussed in the context of Icelandic students’ learning of Danish.

The results show that many Danish idioms and pragmatic routines have clear equivalents in Icelandic, while others differ to varying degrees, and some have no direct parallels in Icelandic. Previous studies indicate that Danish language instruction often places greater emphasis on reading comprehension and writing, with less attention paid to spoken language, where the use of lexical phrases is central. As a result, the acquisition of idioms and pragmatic routines poses a considerable challenge for students, especially when no Icelandic equivalents exist or when cross-linguistic differences are unpredictable.

To address these challenges, the digital tool frasar.net was developed with the aim of supporting the acquisition and use of Danish idioms and pragmatic routines in both spoken and written communication.