Search results for "Saami language"

The Saami languages and Finnish language legislation : a short historical overview

2017

Finland’s political, social and cultural conditions were transformed after its handover from Sweden to Russia in 1809. Emperor Alexander 1st strongly supported the majority language, Finnish, which had not previously enjoyed official status. The official language had long been Swedish, although some authorities did try from time to time to support the use of the vernacular, such as in elementary education and in the translation of some legislation. The 19th century was marked by increasing nationalism in Finland, with the country seeking to strengthen its autonomous status despite several clampdowns. As has often been observed, the Finnish nation, which can be characterised as an “imagined …