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Jul 2025
10m 36s

Humour (Part 3 of 3) - The SWL Culture G...

Swap Language
About this episode

In the final episode of our Danish humour series, Vigdis unpacks the linguistic and cultural layers that make Danish jokes so hard to translate—literally and socially.


From modal adverbs and flat intonation to national in-jokes and shared socialisation, we explore why understanding humour in Denmark takes more than just learning the language.


With input from international residents, reflections on Danish comedy, and a look at gelotophobia (the fear of being laughed at), this episode helps you make sense of the deeper cultural currents that shape Danish wit—and shows you how to laugh along without missing the point.



***

A huge thank you to everybody who contributed to the making of the series: Gintare, Reinhard, Allan, Eskil, and, of course, all the people who were kind enough to share their thoughts as we chased them down with our mic on the streets.

Kilder:

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-limits-of-Danish-humor

https://www.whatthedenmark.com/blog-post/danish-humour

https://videnskab.dk/krop-sundhed/humor-pirrer-hjernens-frygtcenter-derfor-skraldgriner-du-i-stedet-for-at-blive-skraemt/

https://www.quora.com/Are-there-cultures-especially-willing-to-laugh-or-joke-about-themselves

https://speakerhub.com/skillcamp/presenting-around-world-cross-cultural-humour-guide

Lundquist, Lita. (2020). Humorsocialisering. Hvorfor er danskerne (ikke) så sjove (som de tror)? 


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