| Population |
15,000 in Norway (Krauss 1995). Population total all countries: 20,700. Ethnic population: 30,000 to 40,000 in Norway (Krauss 1995). |
| Region |
Finnmark, Troms, Nordland, Ofoten. Also in Finland, Sweden. |
| Language map |
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, reference number 3
|
| Alternate names |
“Lapp” , “Northern Lappish” , Northern Saami, “Norwegian Lapp” , Saami, Same, Samic |
| Dialects |
Ruija, Torne, Sea Lappish. |
| Classification |
Uralic, Sami, Western, Northern |
| Language use |
2/3 of all Saami speak Ruija dialect. |
| Language development |
Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Taught in primary schools. Bible: 1895. |
| Writing system |
Latin script. |
| Comments |
Formerly called “Finns” which they consider derogatory. |
| Language name |
Saami, North |
| Population |
1,700 in Finland (2001 census). Ethnic population: 3,500 (1995 M. Krauss). |
| Region |
Utsjoki, Enontekio, and Sodankyla. |
| Language map |
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, reference number 3
|
| Alternate names |
Davvin, “Lapp” , Northern Lapp, Saame, Same |
| Dialects |
Ruija, Torne, Sea Lappish. |
| Language development |
Literacy rate in L1: 30%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Some schools in Inari and Utsjoki. |
| Comments |
The most widely spoken Saami language in Finland. |
| |
| Language name |
Saami, North |
| Population |
4,000 in Sweden (Krauss 1995). Ethnic population: 5,000 in Sweden (1994 SIL). |
| Region |
Karesuando and Jukkasjärvi. |
| Language map |
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, reference number 3
|
| Alternate names |
“Lapp” , Northern Lappish, Northern Saami, Norwegian Saami, Saame, Same, Samic |
| Dialects |
Ruija, Torne, Sea Lappish. |
| Language development |
Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. |
| |
