The Copenhagen Metro will now announce station names exclusively in Danish, dropping the previous bilingual system that included an English version. Since 2019, metro passengers have heard both a Danish and an English voice pronouncing the station names. This has officially changed following a decision by Metroselskabet, the company operating the metro network.
Survey shows tourists prefer Danish
According to Metroselskabet, the shift comes after a survey conducted among tourists and international residents in the Danish capital. Surprisingly, the majority expressed a preference for hearing the original Danish pronunciation of local names, finding it more authentic and easier to follow.
Gradual implementation on all lines
The new announcements have already been rolled out on lines M3 and M4, while the change is currently being implemented on lines M1 and M2. This means that soon, all metro lines in Copenhagen will feature Danish-only station calls.
Reflecting cultural identity and local sentiment
Local media outlet TV2 Kosmopol interviewed several tourists and Danish passengers, who consistently stated they favored hearing Danish versions of Danish names. The decision is also seen as a way to strengthen cultural identity and respect local language, aligning with similar moves in other European cities to prioritize native place names in public transport systems.
