Danes love dropping English words into their Danish when conversing on a daily basis. Too much, according to some.
In an effort to curb the use of English words and sayings in adverts in Denmark, a Danske Folkeparti (DF) spokesperson has proposed a new tax to motivate companies and advert firms to stay true to the Danish language.
“We want them to stop communicating to us in English,” Alex Ahrendtsen, the DF spokesperson for cultural issues, told Altinget news outlet. “It irritates me considerably.”
“We need to see how we can reduce the many English-language adverts and commercials that we see everywhere across the Danish media scene. Danish is a beautiful language with many options and curiosities.”
READ MORE: DF: Scrap courses taught in English
Dissension in the ranks
Ahrendtsen went on to contend that, while it wouldn’t be possible to ban English adverts, a new tax on English-language adverts could be the way forward.
Furthermore, the party continues to maintain that all education in Denmark should take place in Danish, from kindergarten to university. English-language courses should be scrapped, it argues.
Ahrendtsen went on to lament the many large Danish companies that have made English their official language of choice.
But Ahrendtsen’s comments have apparently not been in line with the DF vision as the deputy head Søren Espersen later said that the proposal is not part of DF’s political agenda.
