How Do You Spell SCANDINAVIAN?
Pronunciation: [skˌandɪnˈe͡ɪvi͡ən] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [skˌandɪnˈe͡ɪvi͡ən] (IPA)
Scandinavian refers to something or someone from or related to Scandinavia, a region located in Northern Europe. Scandinavia is geographically comprised of three countries – Norway, Sweden, and Denmark – although the term is often inclusive of Finland and Iceland as well.
In the context of culture and language, Scandinavian refers to the Nordic languages spoken in this region, including Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and in some cases, more specifically the dialects spoken within these countries. These languages share similarities due to their historical and geographical connections, and are mutually intelligible to some extent.
When discussing the Scandinavian people, it typically pertains to those of Nordic descent originating from these countries. Some defining characteristics associated with Scandinavians include fair or light-colored hair, blue or green eyes, and generally tall stature. However, it is important to note that these characteristics do not apply to every individual in the region, and variations can be observed.
Scandinavian culture is renowned for its minimalistic and functional design, often associated with clean lines and simplicity. Their literature, art, and music have contributed significantly to the global cultural landscape. Additionally, Scandinavian societies are often recognized for their high living standards, social welfare systems, and the practice of egalitarianism.
In summary, the term Scandinavian refers to people, languages, cultures, characteristics, and everything associated with the region comprising Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and sometimes Finland and Iceland as well.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Scandinavian" is derived from the name of an ancient Germanic tribe called the "Sca(n)dinavians". The origin and meaning of this term are not entirely clear. Some theories suggest that it comes from the Proto-Germanic word "Skaðin-" meaning "danger" or "damage", possibly referring to the hostile nature of the Scandinavian shorelines. Others propose that it might come from the Proto-Germanic word "Skad-" meaning "shadow" or "shade", describing the long winters and short days experienced in the region. However, the exact etymology of "Scandinavian" remains uncertain.
