ABSTRACT
From Middle High German Stillheit, the Danish Stilhed was defined in the nineteenth century by the Latin terms conticinium, silentium, tranquillitas, taciturnitas.1 From the German word Stillheit, Danish derives the adjective stille and the noun Stille, both meaning tranquility, quietness, repose. The Danish lexical meaning in the nineteenth century presents “silence” in several senses. One meaning relates to the cessation of movement and a return to calmness. A second is the absence of sound or a pause in language when no other noise is heard. A third meaning stands for secrecy, the interior life reflecting introversion. Finally, there is a sense of inactivity or idleness.2 The adjective “silent” (lydløs) comes from the German lautlos. The concept of “silence” is presented in at least two Danish terms used synonymously by Kierkegaard: Stilhed and Taushed.
