Are you thinking of taking a business from Denmark to English-speaking audiences worldwide? Do you want to distribute marketing materials produced in English to your clients in Denmark? Whatever your reason to translate Danish to English may be, the benefits are abundant.
Below, we’ll go over some potential applications of Danish to English translation. We’ll then share interesting information about the Danish society and economy. Finally, we’ll break down what makes a perfect translation and some common issues. Let’s dive in.
Why Should You Translate Danish to English?
We live in a world that is changing at an incredible pace. Regardless of your industry, your business is likely feeling the effects of globalization. The internet provided solutions like ecommerce, making borders nearly a thing of the past. As a matter of fact, translating Danish to English is becoming a common service.
It’s a perfect time for ambitious companies to conquer new territories and markets. Denmark has an affluent economy, but a very small population. The country has less than six million citizens.
That means there are about 7.7 billion reasons to look beyond its borders. To appeal to global audiences, you have to translate from Danish to English. From the other side of this equation, though, things aren’t very different.
Companies outside Denmark can find a competitive, thriving economy in this Scandinavian country. Corporate tax rates are below the global average, which is unusual for a developed nation. English to Danish translation lets businesses enter this market.
Overview of Denmark
Denmark is known worldwide as a placid Scandinavian country. However, the nation is much more than the land of Vikings and LEGO. It’s an exciting place, where tradition meets modernity.
Economy & Business Opportunities
The nation enjoys one of the world’s most stable economies, with an excellent standard of living. Like most first-world nations, the service sector dominates GDP. Average individual income is in the global top 10.
Unlike many other developed nations, Denmark has one of the world’s most equal economies. Its Gini coefficient (measuring inequality) is the eight lowest in the European Union. Thus, the vast majority of residents have ample disposable income.
Corporate tax rates are below the world average. There are no wealth taxes or capital duties. This makes the country rather attractive from a fiscal perspective.
Another factor that makes it an enticing business location is near-zero national debt. It’s one of the most fiscally sustainable jurisdictions on Earth. International banking is effortless, with major institutions like Saxo Bank headquartered in Copenhagen.
History, Culture & Society
The nation has a long history, dating back to the Stone Age. Modern Danes populated the region starting in the 5th century, and the Kingdom was formed by the 8th. It continued evolving in time, through the Viking, Christian, and Enlightenment eras.
The 18th century saw a wave of Danish nationalism, followed by an intellectual Golden Age in the early part of the 19th century. The population exalted local language and culture, and if you’re wondering what language they speak in Denmark, the answer isn’t just Danish. Faroese, Greenlandic, and German are also common.
Industrialization swept through the land in the 19th century. It was a time of massive rural migration to urban centers. Danes managed to stay out of World War I, for the most part. Still, their economy heavily relied on exports and was deeply affected.
However, they didn’t have the same luck in World War II, being occupied by German troops from 1941 until 1945. Since then, Denmark has undergone multiple political, social, and economic reforms. Culturally, its people value politeness, simplicity, and fairness.
Global Opportunities for Danish Business
New socio-economic priorities around the world present unique opportunities for Danish business. Several market-breaking trends are looming over the horizon. A pressing need for sustainable innovation is opening up trillion-dollar markets, which is why it’s become so pressing for Danish to English translations.
The vast majority of these opportunities are expected to arise beyond Danish borders. Many of them will be in sectors where the country has considerable development and strategic advantages.
These include construction & materials, food & agriculture, health, biotech, transportation, energy, and many others. That said, companies looking to secure a stake in the coming revolution need to have a global mindset.
Leveraging Denmark’s world-class infrastructure internationally can lead to handsome profits. Estimates point to dozens of billions in potential revenue for Danish companies willing to cross over.
Best of all, taking a business to a broad global market is now incredibly straightforward. The internet simplified international commerce. Never in history has setting up shop in countries thousands of miles away been such a speedy and effortless affair.
Still, a successful market entry will require investing resources. We’re talking about extensive research, marketing, and of course, Danish to English translation. When it comes to translation, though, “good” won’t cut it — your brand needs a perfect translation.
What Makes a Perfect Translation
Taking a message from Danish to English while preserving its content is a surprisingly challenging task. For eons, scholars have debated the ins and outs of translations, weighing their merits and shortcomings. It remains a hotly-contested area of linguistics.
Traditionalists often advocate for “word for word” translations. In this school of thought, messages are conveyed in the target language as literally as possible. Even if readers may not parse the meaning of the words without their context, this style calls for absolute precision. You’ll often see this style used by automated translation bots and for some legal documents.
On the other hand, most professional translators prefer the “sense for sense” idea. According to this vision, what matters most is preserving the essence of the message, regardless of the words. In this style, a perfect translation is one that captures the soul of the original without necessarily following the words.
When you translate Danish to English, you’ll want the latter style. It’s much more effective for most use cases, such as product descriptions, user manuals, or marketing materials. Unless we’re talking about legal documents, you likely don’t want “word for word” accuracy.
Common Challenges to Translate Danish to English
When translating, people often resort to basic solutions, like dictionaries or automated translation. For professional purposes, though, you should always seek high-quality translations from native speakers. Otherwise, you risk running into several common Danish to English translation issues.
For instance, Danish has a way of contrasting many ideas in a single sentence, separated by commas. A smooth translation would require careful restructuring.
In addition, Danes have a number of unique words that are downright impossible to translate. From “kæk” to “morgenfrisk” or “hygge,” some words have no adequate equivalents.
