Responsible paraphrasing and citation | Learn Danish in English

Danish lesson set in a contemporary Copenhagen everyday setting: During an academic tutoring session, a student and tutor discuss how to paraphrase sources responsibly and cite ideas even when wording changes..

EN → DA / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Responsible paraphrasing and citation to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Jeg er bekymret for, at mine parafraser ligger for tæt på kilderne.

yai air beh-KUHM-ret fohr, at MEE-nuh pah-rah-FRAY-suh lyeh fohr TEHD paw KIL-uh-nuh. I worry that my paraphrases stay too close to the sources.
B

En nyttig test er, om sætningsstrukturen er blevet ændret.

en NUHT-lee test air, ohm SET-nings-strohk-TOO-ren air BLAY-uth EN-dreth. A useful test is whether the sentence structure has changed.
A

Nogle gange ændrer jeg ordforrådet, men beholder den oprindelige logik.

NOH-luh GENG-uh EN-druh yai OR-for-raw-uh, men beh-HOHL-uh den oh-PREN-uh-lee-uh loh-GEEK. Sometimes I change vocabulary but keep the original logic.
B

Så kan parafrasen stadig være alt for afhængig af kilden.

soh kan pah-rah-FRAY-suhn STED-ee VEH-uh alt fohr ow-HENG-ee ahf KIL-uhn. Then the paraphrase may still depend too heavily on the source.
A

Jeg burde nok lukke artiklen, før jeg begynder at skrive et udkast.

yai BOHR-thuh nok LOO-guh ah-TEEG-len, fuhr yai beh-KUHN-uh at SKREE-vuh ed OOTH-kast. I should probably close the article before drafting.
B

Det kan tvinge dig til at rekonstruere idéen med dine egne ord.

deh kan TVENG-uh dai teel at reh-kon-STROO-uh-ruh ee-DAY-uhn med MEE-nuh AY-nuh ord. That can force you to reconstruct the idea in your own terms.
A

Jeg burde også henvise til kilder for påstande, selv når ordlyden er anderledes.

yai BOHR-thuh OH-soh hen-VEE-suh teel KIL-uh fohr PAW-sten-uh, selv nohr OR-loo-uhn air AN-uh-lay-thes. I should also cite claims even when the wording differs.
B

Det er afgørende, fordi idéer også kræver en kildehenvisning.

deh air ow-KUR-uh-nuh, fohr-DEE ee-DAY-er OH-soh KRAY-vuh uh KIL-uh-hen-VEE-sning. That is essential, because ideas require attribution too.

Word by Word

Jeg Jeg means I and identifies the speaker in Jeg er bekymret and Jeg burde nok lukke artiklen. A reusable pattern is Jeg + verb when stating your own action, opinion, or condition. Use it when describing your own writing process or concern.
er Er is the present form of være and links Jeg with the state bekymret in Jeg er bekymret. It also helps form the changed-state expression sætningsstrukturen er blevet ændret and links Det with afgørende in Det er afgørende. A reusable pattern is subject + er + adjective for describing a state or evaluation.
bekymret Bekymret means worried and describes the speaker’s concern in Jeg er bekymret. It is used in the pattern være bekymret for + a person, thing, or clause. Use this form when expressing concern about the quality or consequences of something.
for In bekymret for, for introduces what the speaker is worried about. In for tæt, it contributes to the meaning too close by marking an excessive degree. Reusable patterns are være bekymret for + something and for + adjective; use them when stating a concern or judging degree.
at In bekymret for, at mine parafraser..., at introduces the clause containing the speaker’s concern. In begynder at skrive, it introduces the infinitive action that is starting. Reuse at after expressions that introduce a clause or after verbs such as begynde when naming the next action.
mine Mine means my and refers to the speaker’s plural parafraser in mine parafraser. It is used before a plural noun to show possession. Use mine + plural noun when referring to several things belonging to or associated with yourself.
parafraser Parafraser means paraphrases here and is the plural form of parafrase. It is the subject of ligger in mine parafraser ligger for tæt på kilderne. Use this academic noun when discussing several rewritten versions of source material.
ligger Ligger is the present form of ligge and means lie or remain in ligger for tæt på kilderne. Here it describes a figurative closeness between the paraphrases and the sources. A reusable pattern is X ligger tæt på + noun when comparing how close something is to a reference.
tæt Tæt means close in ligger for tæt på kilderne. With for, the phrase says that the paraphrases are excessively close to the sources. Reuse tæt på + noun, or for tæt på + noun, when describing proximity or similarity.
på In tæt på kilderne, på marks the sources as the reference point for the closeness. It belongs to the reusable pattern tæt på + noun. Use this pattern when comparing a text, idea, or object with something else.
kilderne Kilderne means the sources and is the definite plural form of kilde. In tæt på kilderne, it refers to the specific sources being paraphrased. Reuse på + kilderne when referring back to known source materials in an academic discussion.
En En is the indefinite article meaning a in En nyttig test and appears as en before kildehenvisning in en kildehenvisning. It introduces one singular common-gender noun. Reuse en + singular noun when presenting one method, object, or concept.
nyttig Nyttig means useful and describes the test in En nyttig test. It gives a positive evaluation of the test’s practical value. Reuse nyttig before a noun when recommending a method, tool, or idea for a task.
test Test means test and refers here to a method for checking whether a paraphrase is sufficiently independent. It appears in the noun phrase En nyttig test. Use test in academic contexts when describing a way to evaluate writing or reasoning.
om Om means whether and introduces the indirect question om sætningsstrukturen er blevet ændret. It connects the test with the question being checked. Reuse om + clause after expressions for checking, asking, or determining whether something is true.
sætningsstrukturen Sætningsstrukturen means the sentence structure and is the definite singular form of sætningsstruktur. It is the thing whose change is being tested in om sætningsstrukturen er blevet ændret. Use this compound noun when discussing the arrangement of words and clauses in a sentence.
blevet Blevet is the form of blive used in er blevet ændret and contributes the idea that a change has occurred. Together with er and ændret, the expression says that the sentence structure has been changed. Reuse er blevet + a changed-state description when reporting that something has undergone a change.
ændret Ændret means changed and describes the resulting state of sætningsstrukturen in sætningsstrukturen er blevet ændret. With er blevet, it forms the expression that the structure has been changed; the complete meaning comes from the construction. Use a noun + er blevet ændret when reporting a revision.
Nogle Nogle means some in Nogle gange and contributes to the meaning sometimes together with gange. It can also introduce a plural noun in other contexts. Reuse nogle + plural noun when referring to an unspecified number of items or occurrences.
gange Gange means times in Nogle gange and is the plural form of gang. Together with Nogle, it forms the common frequency expression meaning sometimes. Reuse nogle gange before or after a clause when describing an occasional action.
ændrer Ændrer is the present form of ændre and means change in ændrer jeg ordforrådet. It describes the speaker’s action of modifying vocabulary. Reuse Jeg ændrer + object when explaining that you are modifying part of a text.
ordforrådet Ordforrådet means the vocabulary and is the definite singular form of ordforråd. It is the object of ændrer in ændrer jeg ordforrådet. Use ændre ordforrådet when discussing changes to the words used in a text.
men Men means but and connects two contrasting actions in ændrer jeg ordforrådet, men beholder den oprindelige logik. It signals that changing the vocabulary does not mean changing the logic. Reuse clause + men + clause when contrasting two facts or actions.
beholder Beholder is the present form of beholde and means keep or retain in beholder den oprindelige logik. It describes preserving something while another part is changed. Reuse beholde + object when saying that a feature, idea, or structure remains unchanged.
den Den is the definite article in den oprindelige logik and points to the specific logic under discussion. It appears before the adjective and noun in this definite noun phrase. Reuse den + adjective + noun when referring to a particular common-gender item.
oprindelige Oprindelige means original and is the form used with the definite noun phrase den oprindelige logik. It identifies the logic as belonging to the source before the vocabulary was changed. Reuse den + oprindelige + noun when referring to a specific original feature.
logik Logik means logic and refers to the reasoning preserved in den oprindelige logik. It is the object of beholder in the dialogue. Use logik in academic discussion when referring to the reasoning or internal structure of an argument.
Så Så means then or so and introduces the consequence in Så kan parafrasen stadig være alt for afhængig af kilden. It connects the previous observation with the tutor’s conclusion. Reuse Så + clause when responding to a preceding point with a result or implication.
kan Kan expresses possibility in Så kan parafrasen stadig være alt for afhængig af kilden. It is followed by the infinitive være, with the subject parafrasen between them. Reuse kan + infinitive when discussing what may or can be the case.
parafrasen Parafrasen means the paraphrase and is the definite singular form of parafrase. It refers to the particular paraphrase being evaluated in kan parafrasen stadig være.... Reuse the definite form when discussing one specific draft or rewritten passage already under discussion.
stadig Stadig means still and shows that the problem remains despite the vocabulary changes. In stadig være afhængig af kilden, it modifies the continuing state of dependence. Reuse stadig before a verb or adjective when saying that a situation continues.
være Være is the infinitive form of være and means be in kan parafrasen stadig være.... It names the possible state that the paraphrase may have. Reuse kan + være when discussing a possible condition or evaluation.
alt In alt for afhængig, alt strengthens for and contributes to the meaning far too or excessively dependent. Its meaning here comes from the complete degree expression, not from the all-sense of alt alone. Reuse alt for + adjective when warning that a quality is present to an excessive degree.
afhængig Afhængig means dependent and describes the paraphrase’s reliance on the source in alt for afhængig af kilden. It is used with af to identify what something depends on. Reuse afhængig af + noun when describing reliance on a person, source, or factor.
af In afhængig af kilden, af completes the expression afhængig af and introduces what the dependence is on. It links the adjective afhængig to kilden. Reuse afhængig af + noun when explaining the source or factor on which something relies.
kilden Kilden means the source and is the definite singular form of kilde. It names the particular source on which the paraphrase remains too dependent. Reuse afhængig af kilden when referring to one known source in the discussion.
burde Burde expresses should or ought to in Jeg burde nok lukke artiklen. It presents the speaker’s proposed action as advisable rather than simply describing an action. Reuse burde + infinitive when giving yourself or someone else practical advice.
nok Nok means probably in burde nok and softens the certainty of the recommendation. Together, burde nok presents closing the article as a likely sensible step. Reuse burde nok + infinitive when expressing a cautious personal recommendation.
lukke Lukke means close and is the infinitive after burde in burde nok lukke artiklen. The object artiklen specifies what should be closed. Reuse lukke + object when describing ending access to a document, application, or other item.
artiklen Artiklen means the article and is the definite singular form of artikel. It is the object of lukke in lukke artiklen, referring to the specific article used as a source. Use the definite form when the reader and speaker already know which article is meant.
før Før means before and introduces the clause før jeg begynder at skrive et udkast. It places the action of closing the article earlier than the writing. Reuse før + clause when explaining the order of two actions.
begynder Begynder is the present form of begynde and means begin or start in før jeg begynder at skrive et udkast. The subject is Jeg, and the following at skrive names the action that starts. Reuse før jeg begynder at + infinitive when describing what happens before you start a task.
skrive Skrive means write and is the infinitive after at in begynder at skrive et udkast. It names the activity that is beginning. Reuse begynde at skrive + object when describing the start of writing a particular text.
et Et is the indefinite article meaning a or an before the neuter noun udkast in et udkast. It introduces one draft. Reuse et + singular neuter noun when presenting one item of that type.
udkast Udkast means draft and refers to the preliminary text the student is about to write. It appears in skrive et udkast. Reuse skrive et udkast when describing the preparation of an academic or other preliminary text.
Det Det is a pronoun meaning that or it and refers to the preceding suggestion in Det kan tvinge dig.... In Det er afgørende, it refers to the principle that ideas also require attribution. Reuse Det kan + infinitive or Det er + adjective when referring back to a stated action, fact, or idea.
tvinge Tvinge means force or make and is the infinitive after kan in Det kan tvinge dig til at rekonstruere idéen. In the complete pattern, one action causes another person to carry out a required action. Reuse tvinge + person + til at + infinitive when describing that something obliges someone to do something.
dig Dig means you as the person affected by tvinge in tvinge dig til at rekonstruere. It is the object of tvinge and identifies the student who must perform the next action. Reuse tvinge dig til at + infinitive when addressing someone directly about a required action.
til In tvinge dig til at rekonstruere, til introduces the action that the person is forced or made to perform. It is part of the pattern tvinge + person + til at + infinitive. Use this construction when connecting a person with the action they must carry out.
rekonstruere Rekonstruere means reconstruct and is the infinitive after til at in til at rekonstruere idéen. It describes rebuilding the idea in a new formulation. Reuse rekonstruere + object when describing the process of rebuilding an idea, argument, or structure.
idéen Idéen means the idea and is the definite singular form of idé. It is the object of rekonstruere in rekonstruere idéen, referring to the specific idea from the source. Use this definite form when the idea has already been identified in the discussion.
med In med dine egne ord, med means with or by means of and introduces the means used to express the idea. The complete expression says that the idea is reconstructed using the learner’s own wording. Reuse med + noun when describing the means or material used for an action.
dine Dine means your and modifies the plural noun ord in dine egne ord. It identifies the words as belonging to the person being addressed. Reuse dine + plural noun when referring directly to several things associated with another person.
egne Egne means own and emphasizes that the words are the learner’s rather than copied from the source. In dine egne ord, it reinforces the idea of independent wording. Reuse dine egne + plural noun when stressing personal ownership or authorship.
ord Ord means words in med dine egne ord. In this phrase, the plural meaning is clear from dine and egne, while the form ord itself does not change. Reuse med dine egne ord when explaining that an idea is expressed in personally chosen wording.
også Også means also or too and adds an additional requirement in også henvise til kilder. It also adds attribution to the requirement in idéer også kræver en kildehenvisning. Reuse også before the added verb or phrase when saying that one more action or fact applies.
henvise Henvise means refer to or cite and is the infinitive after burde in burde også henvise til kilder. With til kilder, it describes giving references for the source material. Reuse henvise til + source or reference when discussing citation in academic writing.
kilder Kilder means sources and is the plural form of kilde. It follows til in henvise til kilder and identifies the materials being cited. Reuse henvise til kilder when explaining that several sources should be referenced.
påstande Påstande means claims and is the plural form of påstand. In kilder for påstande, it identifies the claims that need source support. Use this academic noun when discussing statements presented as claims or assertions.
selv Selv means even and emphasizes that the citation requirement remains valid under the condition that follows. In selv når ordlyden er anderledes, it highlights an exception that does not remove the requirement. Reuse selv når + clause when saying that something remains true despite a condition.
når Når means when and introduces the condition in selv når ordlyden er anderledes. Here it connects the requirement to a situation in which the wording differs. Reuse når + clause when describing the time or condition under which something applies.
ordlyden Ordlyden means the wording and is the definite singular form of ordlyd. It refers to the particular phrasing of the source and paraphrase in ordlyden er anderledes. Reuse ordlyden er + adjective when evaluating how a particular formulation differs.
anderledes Anderledes means different and describes the wording in ordlyden er anderledes. It appears after er as the description of the wording’s character. Reuse være anderledes end + comparison when explaining that one formulation differs from another.
afgørende Afgørende means essential or crucial and evaluates the citation principle in Det er afgørende. It presents the principle as necessary for responsible academic writing. Reuse Det er afgørende, fordi + clause when emphasizing an important requirement and giving its reason.
fordi Fordi means because and introduces the reason in fordi idéer også kræver en kildehenvisning. It connects the statement that citation is essential with its explanation. Reuse fordi + clause when giving the reason for an opinion, requirement, or conclusion.
idéer Idéer means ideas and is the plural form of idé. It is the subject of kræver in idéer også kræver en kildehenvisning. Use this noun when discussing intellectual content that may need attribution even when the wording changes.
kræver Kræver is the present form of kræve and means require in idéer også kræver en kildehenvisning. The ideas are presented as needing a citation. Reuse X kræver + noun when stating that something needs or demands a particular condition or action.
kildehenvisning Kildehenvisning means a citation or source reference and is the noun in en kildehenvisning. It names the attribution given to show where an idea or claim comes from. Reuse kræve en kildehenvisning when explaining that academic ideas need explicit source attribution.

Grammar Points

Bestemt flertal: -ne

kilderne

KIL-uh-nuh

the sources

Danish marks the definite plural on the noun itself: kilde becomes kilderne.

Nutid: infinitiv + -r

ændrer

EN-druh

changes

Many Danish verbs form the present tense by adding -r to the infinitive: ændre becomes ændrer.

Danish Vocabulary

beholde verb
beh-HOHL-uh to keep; to retain beholder
bekymret adj
beh-KUHM-ret worried
kilde noun
KIL-uh source kilderne
Gender
common
ligge verb
LEH to lie; to be situated ligger
logik noun
loh-GEEK logic
Gender
common
nyttig adj
NUHT-lee useful
oprindelig adj
oh-PREN-uh-lee original oprindelige
ordforråd noun
OR-for-raw vocabulary ordforrådet
Gender
neuter
parafrase noun
pah-rah-FRAY-suh paraphrase parafraser
Gender
common
sætningsstruktur noun
SET-nings-strohk-TOO sentence structure sætningsstrukturen
Gender
common
tæt adv
TEHD close
ændre verb
EN-druh to change ændrer

Quiz

Spelling

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useful

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worried

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vocabulary

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source

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