Sweden's definitive Swedish Academy word list adds 2,800 new entries for the first time in eleven years. Terms like 'Botoxa,' 'yes,' and 'gurt' now officially join the lexicon in the fifteenth edition of SAOL, published this week. The update reflects contemporary Swedish life, from food trends to digital technology and environmental concerns.
The Gatekeepers of Swedish
Mats Malm, the former Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, and Louise Holmer, the edition's chief editor, oversaw the meticulous update. They worked from academic offices in Gothenburg to review thousands of potential entries. Their goal was to capture a living language while maintaining authoritative standards for spelling and usage.
"There are people who want to preserve Swedish a bit purer," said Mats Malm. "I personally think that as long as the nuance richness becomes greater, it's good." This philosophy guided the inclusion of loanwords like 'cupcake' and 'yes' alongside native constructions. The process involved analyzing word frequency, established usage, and cultural relevance across various media and publications.
A Mirror of Modern Society
The new entries act as a cultural timestamp for the 2020s. Food terms such as 'sweet potato fries' (sötpotatispommes) and 'yuzu' illustrate evolving tastes. Digital life is represented by 'QR code' and 'charging box' (laddbox). Perhaps most telling are sustainability-focused words like 'plastic diet' (plastbanta), 'ecocide' (ekocid), and 'plant-based' (växtbaserad).
The inclusion of 'click behavior' (klickbete) speaks to the digital attention economy. 'Highly sensitive' (högkänslig) enters the list, reflecting broader social discussions. Unlike the 2015 edition, which sparked storms of controversy by adding the gender-neutral pronoun 'hen,' this update has provoked less immediate debate according to editors.
"If there is a lot that is new and modern and slang-influenced, there are some who think it doesn't belong in the word list," said Louise Holmer. "And if you soften the recommendations a little, some think it's a pity. People want a slightly stricter list." She notes reactions are always mixed when a new edition arrives.
Words That Fade Away
For an entry to be added, roughly 1,500 older words were removed to keep the printed volume manageable. This necessary pruning saw terms like 'giftblanderska' (a female poison mixer), 'sedeltankning' (note refueling, a slang for getting cash), 'uä-barn' (a historical term for a child born out of wedlock), and 'bottenhederlig' (utterly honest) exit the official list.
Mats Malm acknowledged a certain nostalgia for departed words. "Many older words are fantastically beautiful," he said. He pointed out that these words are not erased from the language itself. They remain accessible in historical texts and digital archives like Litteraturbanken. Their removal from SAOL simply marks a shift from common usage to historical reference.
Personal Favorites and Lasting Impact
The editors have their own preferred newcomers. Mats Malm highlighted 'bjussig' (treating, generous), which he finds pleasantly cozy. Louise Holmer chose 'nattlysande' (night-shining), as in 'night-shining clouds,' describing a specific atmospheric light effect. These choices underscore the personal and human element behind the academic curation.
The SAOL is more than a book, it is the official standard for Swedish spelling in schools, government, and media. Its updates therefore carry significant weight. They legitimize new forms of expression and provide guidance during rapid linguistic change. This edition's acceptance of informal loanwords signals a pragmatic approach to a globally influenced language.
The Digital Future of Dictionaries
With an eleven-year gap since the last print edition, questions about the pace of updates are inevitable. Language evolves faster than traditional publishing cycles. This raises the importance of the Academy's ongoing digital resources, which can be updated more frequently to track emerging usage. The printed SAOL thus becomes a solidified snapshot, while digital tools offer the real-time pulse.
The work of Louise Holmer and her team ensures that whether one is 'Botoxing,' enjoying a 'cupcake,' or trying to 'plastic diet,' there is now an official reference. The new SAOL captures a moment where Swedish is confidently absorbing global influences while coining its own terms for local realities. It is a dictionary that admits 'yes' while continuing to say a great deal more about the society that uses it.