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Ethnologue: Languages of the World
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Europe > Finland > Saami, Skolt

Saami, Skolt

A language of Finland

ISO 639-3: sms

Population  400 in Finland (2001 census). Population total all countries: 420. Ethnic population: 500 in Finland (1995 M. Krauss).
Region  Northwest of Inari Saami. Also in Russian Federation (Europe).
Language map  Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden
Alternate names   Kolta, Koltta, “Lapp” , Lopar, Russian Lapp, Saame, Same, Skolt Lappish
Classification  Uralic, Sami, Eastern
Language use  Mainly older adults. Also use Finnish [fin].
Language development  Literacy rate in L1: 10%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1878–1988.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  They moved here during World War II from what is now a part of the Russian Federation. Pastoralists: reindeer; fishermen; hunters. Christian.

Also spoken in:

Russian Federation (Europe)

Language name   Saami, Skolt
Population  20 in Russian Federation (1995 M. Krauss). Ethnic population: 400 in the Russian Federation (1995 M. Krauss).
Region  North and west Kola Peninsula, Petsamo area.
Language map  European Russia
Alternate names  Kolta, “Lapp” , Lopar, “Russian Lapp” , Saam, Skolt, “Skolt Lappish”
Dialects  Notozer, Yokan.
Language use  Used by few children. Also use Russian.
Comments  ‘Saami’ is their preferred name. Christian.