Katarinahuset, 2025-05-07
“English is used because people think it’s cool – when Swedish is both prettier and more understandable.”
MEMBER INTERVIEW WITH PATRIK HADENIUS
Patrik Hadenius is a member of A house and is very fond of languages. He is currently investigating a new language museum in Stockholm, spying on Swedish Radio, talking languages on TV4’s Språkakuten and hosting the podcast Stolpe Stories. He has also been head of publishing at Norstedt, worked with media and magazines and started Språktidningen. Language has always interested him and he is fascinated by how much it says about people – both as individuals and as a group.
Hello Patrik! You are the initiator of the upcoming Language Museum. How did you get the idea and what can we expect?
– There are several successful language museums around the world and now I want to bring the idea to Sweden. I envision an attractive and entertaining place where you discover how important and fun language is. A bit like a science center, but about language. Lots of interactivity and play, but at the same time a place where you can immerse yourself, learn more about your language and others’.
Tell us more about the Language Newsletter that you can subscribe to. What is it?
– The Language Letter comes out every Thursday with news, tips and curiosities about language, culture and the road to a new language museum. I write about new words, old dialects, funny language events, books worth reading, attractive museums and much more. Last time it was about how TV series like Shetland and Vigdis attract with their languages and dialects. The time before, it was about what emojis say about the unfathomable American regime.
Which language mistakes bother you the most?
– When people don’t make the effort. I don’t mind if you make mistakes or write wrongly because you can’t. But I am bothered when someone uses a lax and uninspired language. For example, if you use English because you think it’s cheeky, when Swedish would be more attractive and easier to understand.
What trends do you see in the Swedish language?
– Wow, it’s hard to choose, because there’s so much going on now. One trend is that we write more like we speak, for example on social media and in text messages. There are lots of emojis and short fragments. It’s funny because it’s happening so fast. Many language trends are linked to other trends in society, such as being more personal and more individualistic. This makes language more personal and intimate.
In which place in A house Katarinahuset do you feel most inspired?
– It depends on what I have to do. When I need to concentrate, I take a phone booth. For a meeting, I like the room with sofas, where you can be seen a bit more relaxed but still secluded. But I probably like sitting outside by the reception desk the most. There are many people passing by, you can have another cup of coffee, chat or just say hello.
Read more about Patrik at https://patrikhadenius.se/.