Did you guys know that there are Swedish-speaking Finns and that Finland is a bilingual country? Or at least they have a very generous language policy when it comes to people whose first language is Swedish. FinnishSwedish or Finlandsvenska is considered as an eastern dialect of Swedish with Finnish influence (this mainly regards vocabulary and intonation). There are several dialects within FinnishSwedish. The areas where the dialect/language is used is the western and southern coastal area of Finland including a group of islands called Åland (Ahvenanmaa). See the picture below!

From the 1970s it is compulsory to learn Swedish already in primary school in class 7-9. Just like Finnish in FinnishSwedish schools. Then the students go on with their studies all through high-school. Many Finns are opposed to the compulsory education since they think it is unnecessary for someone who lives in Eastern Finland or Lappland to study Swedish. They say that those students could concentrate on another language like Russian or English instead of learning Swedish. The people who are for the compulsory Swedish education say that a second-language gives a bigger Nordic perspective for Finnish people, while the opponents mean that Finland is a member of the EU and uses English as a first language in communication with other member states. It is also interesting to see that the Finnish migration usually aims the bilingual areas like Vasa, Turku (sv.Åbo), and Helsinki (sv. Helsingfors) so people do get in touch with Swedish-speaking Finns, however 5,5 % of the FinnishSwedish population speak Finnish as well.

By Finnish law you have the right to get service in Swedish in officially bilingual areas and in contact with local authorities. My own experience is mixed. I think Finns are very helpful in general and if you don´t take it for granted that they speak Swedish they might reveal their Swedish knowledge so English is always a good way to start if you aren´t in a bilingual area. On the other hand you never know who is standing behind the cashier so you might get lucky. I think people are usually unprepared and they almost get into a kind of chock when they realize that they have to speak Swedish now. “The reaction is: I used to learn it in school, but I can´t remember”. Sometimes it is true and sometimes it is a politically correct answer. But hey! I can´t remember a single thing from my high school education when it comes to Chemistry (without being politically correct)! However, I would feel much more comfortable using my Swedish in official matters. Especially if I have a legal right for that, but it is more of question of feeling safe in an exposed situation, I guess. My Finnish is quite rusty nowadays so I should brush it up. I used to speak really well like 7 years ago, believe it or not. Now, I understand more than I can speak. Because I don´t use it in Sweden not because I don´t want. You get both hints. But I would be willing to learn it. The melancholic hearts of the Finns get warm every time I open my mouth in Finnish. At the end of the day Finnish, Swedish, Russian, Sami culture give a special flavour to Finland.

Some differences between Swedish and the pragmatic FinnishSwedish vocabulary:

Swedish: Fralla(vetebulle) is in FinnishSwedish: Semla

Swedish: Festen var jättebra is in FinnishSwedish: Festen var nog bra.

Swedish: Lås dörren! is in FinnishSwedish: Stäng dörren!

Swedish: Ta med is in FinnishSwedish: Hämta

Swedish: Jultomten is in FinnishSwedish: Julgubben

Swedish: Sommarstuga is in FinnishSwedish: Villa

Swedish: Ha sönder is in Finnish Swedish: Söndra

Swedish: Tomtebloss is in FinnishSwedish: Sparkasticka

Swedish: Mousserande vin is in FinnishSwedish: Skumvin

Swedish: USB-minne is in FinnishSwedish: Minnespinne