Originally Posted by
allofthelights
Should. Danish is sometimes harder to understand for Norwegians/Swedes, and Danes sometimes have a hard time with Norwegian/Swedish. This is seldom an issue on flights, as the communication is usually basic and involves words common across the languages. But if a Norwegian are to discuss the nuances of Sartre's work with a Dane, they'll probably opt for English.
I think that is a bit misleading. Actually, understanding often gets easier the "harder" and more abstract the discussion gets.
The key is the level of formality. Semi-scripted and formal language is easier, simply because the written languages are a lot closer to each other than the spoken ones. On that scale, I as a Swede can easily follow a Danish PA announcement and the philosophical discussion, but overhearing two FAs chatting along about their plans for the weekend in quick informal Danish would be a lot harder.
In fact, I'd say English in intra-Nordic communication is more likely to be used by people who are less likely to employ a more formal register of their own language, i.e. those who are comparatively less educated and younger, who often have had less exposure to the other Nordic languages. Not your Sartre-debating academics.
