Politics of small languages

in Europe

Pirkko Nuolijärvi

Helsinki, November 23, 2007

Research Institute for the Languages of Finland

Finnish among languagesFinnish among languages

• the official language in the European Union• the national language in Finland• the majority language in Finland used by 4,7 million people as a mother tongue• the second language in Finland used by 450 000 people• the minority language in Sweden (in northern municipalities)• the mother tongue or the second language by hundred thousands outside Finland

The largest The largest language groups in Finland 1.1.2006groups in Finland 1.1.2006Source: Statistics Finland

Finnish 4 819 819 91,7 % of the populationSwedish 289 675 5,5 %Russian 39 653 0,8 %Estonian 15 336 0,3 %English 8 928 0,2 %Somali 8 593 0,2 %Arabic 7 117 0,1 %Kurdish 5 123Albanian 5 076Chinese 4 613Vietnamese 4 202German 4 114Other 43 331Total 5 255 580

International treaties on linguistic rightsInternational treaties on linguistic rights

• bilateral• Nordic• more widely international (binding the members of the Council of Europe or the United Nations)

Declaration on a Nordic language policyDeclaration on a Nordic language policy

All Nordic residents have the right• to acquire both spoken and written skills in a language essential to society so that they can participate in the workings of society• to acquire an understanding of and skills in a Scandinavian and an understanding of the other Scandinavian languages so that they can take part in the Nordic language community• to acquire a language of international importance so that they can take part in the development of world society society• to preserve and develop their mother tongue and their national minority language.

Issues to work withIssues to work with

• Language comprehension and language skills• The parallel use of languages• Multilingualism• The Nordic countries as a linguistic pioneering region

Languages in Finnish ActsLanguages in Finnish Acts

• Constitution 2000 (1919)• Language Act 2003 (1922)• Sámi Language Act 2003 (1991)

• Basic Education Act 1998• Other: Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public BodiesAdministrative Procedure ActAct on the Status and Rights of a Patient etc.

Constitution 2000 (1)Constitution 2000 (1)

Section 17. Right to one’s language and culture.

The national languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish.

The right of everyone to use his own language, either Finnish or Swedish, before court of laws and other authority, and to receive documents in that language, shall be guaranteed by an Act. The public authorities shall provide for the educational, cultural and societal needs of the Finnish-speaking and Swedish-speaking populations of the country on an equal basis.

Constitution 2000 (2)Constitution 2000 (2)

Section 17. Right to one’s language and culture.

The Sámi, as an indigenous people, as well as the Romani and other groups, have the right to maintain and develop their own language and culture. Provisions on the right of the Sámi to use the Sámi language before the authorities are laid down by an Act. The rights of persons using sign language and of persons in need of interpretation or translation aid owing to disability shall be guaranteed by an Act.

Language Act 2003Language Act 2003

• Unilingual or bilingual authorities• The right of the individual to use his or her own language• Flexible service in both languages• Information in both Finnish and Swedish• Authorities to ensure language rights

Sámi Language Act 2003Sámi Language Act 2003

Section 12.

When dealing with the authorities, a Sámi has the right to use the Sámi or the Finnish language, as he or she may choose. A Sámi has the same right before State authorities also outside the Sámi homeland, when these authorities are hearing appeals against decisions of authorities within the Sámi homeland.

The report of the Government to Parliament on the application of language legislation

The report is submitted under the Language Act in each electoral period. It deals with• the application of language legislation• the securing of linguistic rights and • the linguistic conditions of Finland.

Proposals for measuresProposals for measures

relating to

• the operations of the authorities and the courts

• societal decision-making

• monitoring and evaluation

Basic Education Act 1998 (1)

Section 10. Language of instruction

The language of instruction and the language used in extracurricular teaching shall be either Finnish or Swedish. The language of instruction may also be Sámi,Romani or sign language. In addition, part of teachingmay be given in a language other than the pupils’native language referred to above, provided that thisdoes not risk the pupils‘ ability to follow teaching.

Basic Education Act 1998 (2)

Section 12. Mother tongue

As mother tongue, the pupil shall be taught Finnish, Swedish or Sámi in keeping the language of instruction. As mother tongue, the pupil may also be taught the Romani language, sign language or some other language which is the pupil's native language.

Issues to discuss in Finland (1)Issues to discuss in Finland (1)

How to maintain or to improve

• the service in Swedish in bilingual municipalities with the Finnish majority• the possibilities to use Sámi languages in the authorities; the service in Sámi languages; Sámi teaching outside the Sámi homeland• the balance between the use of Finnish/Swedish and English (universities, companies)• the status of Karelian in Finland

Issues to discuss in Finland (2)Issues to discuss in Finland (2)

How to maintain or to improve

• the support to the Romani Language in the basic education and in the society• the support to the sign language in the basic education and in the society • the support to the pupil’s native languages and the bilingualism in the basic education• the languages and the culture of all groups in Finland.