Swedish Homework

It was our last Swedish class of this season tonight. We resume on August 4. And tonight was lots of fun, and really satisfying.

After feeling a little down on myself for failing to come to grips with some of the grammar, tonight involved lots of conversation (which I enjoy), reading and translation (which I also enjoy), listening to a Peter Joback song in translation… and

…we delighted in some home-made Prinsesstårta, a Swedish delight, which Wikipedia tells me is “a big cake, made of sponge cake layered with whipped cream, and custard under a green marzipan coating with powdered sugar on the top; often decorated with a pink marzipan rose.”

Oh, and we followed up on last week’s homework.

Last week we were all given a copy of a Swedish gossip magazine, and were asked to re-write one of the stories inside in our own words.

Naturally enough, I chose the article about Swedish singer, Magnus Carlsson.

This is what I wrote…

Magnus Carlsson växte upp i Fristad utanför Borås, men han bor i Stockholm nu. Magnus var sångare i dansbandet Barbados och pop-gruppen Alcazar. Han är ensam sångare nu. Han är min favoritsångare från Sverige. Magnus är på listor över Sveriges sexigaste män!

I den här artikel, talade Magnus om sift förhållande med Mats Pelli. Magnus och Mats träffades på gym på Fridhemsplan 2005. Magnus har ingått regiserat partnerskap med Mats sedan januari 2006.

I artikeln, talade Magnus om musik och politiker.

Han talade om sin familj också: Magnus och Mats har fyra hundarn, dansksvensk gårdshund. Dom har en hund, som heter Barbro, efter sångerskan Lill-Babs. Han sager att Lill-Babs var hans inspirationskälla. “(Hon) är en fantastisk människa”, säger Magnus.

A simple translation is that

Magnus Carlsson grew up in Fristard just outside Boras, but he lives in Stockholm now. Magnus was a singer in the dance band, Barbados and the pop group, Alxacazar. He is a solo singer now. He is my favourite singer from Sweden. Magnus is on the list of Sweden’s sexiest men!

In the article, Magnus discusses his relationship with Matts Pelli. Magnus and Mats met at a gym in Fridhemsplan (suburb of Stockholm) in 2005. Magnus has had a registered partnership with Mats since January 2006.

In the article, Magnus discusses music and politics.

He discusses his family also. Magnus and Mats have four dogs, Danish/Swedish Guard Dogs. They have a dog named Barbo, after the singer, Lill-Babs. He said that Lill-Babs was his inspirational person. “She is a fantastic human”, says Magnus.

OK… so it’s not exactly War and Peace, but I think I’m doing okay.

For the next six week break in class, I’m determined to come to grips with all my grammar weaknesses. My plan is ten minutes of grammar each day.

Some people do sit-ups and crunches… I do verbs and adverbs!