Introduction to Finnish Language and Culture Jenni Laine 9.6.2015

Introduction to Finnish Language
and Culture
Jenni Laine
9.6.2015
Finnish language different, not difficult
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Finnish belongs to the Finno-Ugrian language
family (like Estonian and Hungarian).
Therefore the structure and the vocabulary of
Finnish language differ from the most
European languages.
What is different in Finnish?
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No articles
Auto
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a car, the car
No grammatical gender
Hän
he, she
Endings and suffixes
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The basic principle of word formation in
Finnish is the additions of endings and suffixes
to the words.
The Finnish language has many case endings
which correspond often to the prepositions or
other individual words in other languages.
Example of word formation
auto
a car
-ssa
in
auto+ssa
in a car
-ni
my (possessive suffix)
-kin
also, too
auto+ssa+ni+kin = in my car, too
Compound words
 Sana (word)
+
kirja (book) => sanakirja
 Tieto (knowledge) + kone (machine) => tietokone
 Lentokonesuihkuturbiinimoottoriapumekaanikkoali-
upseerioppilas
 Guinness World Records 2006
Written and spoken language
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Written language (standard, literary Finnish) is
used in newspapers, instructions, formal
situations, books, news etc.
Spoken language (colloquial Finnish) is used
in daily communication.
Written language: Spoken language:
Dialects:
Minä olen
Mää oon, mie oon,
Mä oon
I am
mää ole...
Something familiar?
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Finnish language has quite many international
words, borrowed from the Indo-European
languages (mainly Swedish and English).
Loan words have been ”Finnishized”, adjusted
to Finnish ortography and pronunciation.
Do you know what these mean?
taksi
rokki
bussi
musiikki
pubi
presidentti
filmi
teatteri
hotelli
banaani
posti
museo
pankki
Two official languages
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Finland has two official languages, Finnish and
Swedish.
Approximately 6 % of Finns speak Swedish as
their mother tongue.
Many places have a Finnish and a Swedish
name:
Turku
Åbo
Helsinki Helsingfors
Porvoo
Borgå
General signs and notices
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Especially in the coastal areas general signs and
notices are in both languages.
Sometimes it may be easier to understand the
Swedish word!
Finnish
Swedish
English
ravintola
restaurang
restaurant
yliopisto
universitet
university
asema
station
station
TERVE!
Practise Finnish!
MOIKKA!
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HEI! MOI!
HYVÄÄ PÄIVÄÄ!
MIKÄ SINUN NIMESI ON?
MINUN NIMENI ON...
HAUSKA TUTUSTUA!
KIITOS SAMOIN!
NÄHDÄÄN!
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Hyöhen löytyi yöllä työpöydältä.
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Hello!
Good day!
What's your name?
My name is...
Nice to meet you!
Thank you, same!
See you!
ADVICE FOR FOREIGNERS
By Finnish summer course students
 Ole ajoissa!
• Be on time!
 Syö salmiakkia ja
korvapuustia!
• Eat salmiakki and
cinnamon bun!
 Käy saunassa!
• Go to sauna!
 Pukeudu lämpimästi
talvella!
• Dress warmly in the
winter!
 Käy Lapissa!
• Visit Lapland!
 Kävele luonnossa!
• Walk in the nature!
 Opiskele suomea!
• Study Finnish!
Hyvää kesää ja kiitos!