Saami, North

A language of Norway

ISO 639-3

sme

Alternate Names

North Sámi, Northern Saami, Saami, Same, Samic, “Lapp” (pej.), “Northern Lappish” (pej.), “Norwegian Lapp” (pej.)

Autonym

Sámegiella

Population

20,000 in Norway (Laakso et al 2013). Ethnic population: 30,000 (1995 M. Krauss). Total users in all countries: 25,700.

Location

Finnmark, Troms counties; Nordland county: Ofoten.

Language Maps

Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Sami Administrative District (1987, Sami Act, No. 12, Article 3).

Classification

Uralic, Sami, Western, Northern

Dialects

Ruija, Torne, Sea Lappish. Two-thirds of all Saami speak Ruija dialect.

Typology

SVO; prepositions and postpositions; noun head final; dual number; case-marking (8 cases); verb affixes mark person, number; passives; comparatives; 30 consonants, 7 vowels, 4 diphthongs; non-tonal.

Language Use

In central Finnmark Province, where North Saami has an official status, many children learn the language and are likely to continue to use it in adulthood (Salminen 2007). Used by all. Also use Norwegian [nor].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Taught in primary schools. Bible: 1895.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Saami, North

Writing

Cyrillic script [Cyrl]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Formerly called “Finns” which they consider derogatory.

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Finland

Language nameSaami, North

Population Full

1,700 in Finland (2001 census). 1,830 all Saami in Finland (2010 census). Ethnic population: 3,500 (1995 M. Krauss).

Location

Lapland region: Enontekiö, western Inari, Sodankylä, and Utsjoki municipalities.

Alternate Names

Davvin, Northern Lapp, Saame, Same, Sámegiella, “Lapp” (pej.)

Dialects

Ruija, Torne, Sea Lappish.

Status

6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086).

Language Use

Giving way to dominant languages in some areas (Salminen 2007). Some young people, all adults. Some child speakers (Salminen 2007). Also use Finnish [fin].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 30%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Some schools in Inari and Utsjoki.

Other Comments

The most widely spoken Saami language in Finland.

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Sweden

Language nameSaami, North

Population Full

4,000 in Sweden (Krauss 1992). Ethnic population: 5,000 (1994 SIL).

Location

Norrbotten county: Arjeplog, Arvidsjaur, Gällivare, Jokkmokk, Jukkasjärvi, Karesuando, and Kiruna municipalities.

Alternate Names

Northern Lappish, Northern Saami, Norwegian Saami, Saame, Same, Samic, Sámegiella, “Lapp” (pej.)

Dialects

Torne.

Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in administrative area municipalities located in at least part of the following counties: Dalarna, Jämtland, Norrbotten, Västerbotten (2009, NMNML Act No. 724, Article 6).

Language Use

Giving way to dominant languages in some areas (Salminen 2007). Some child speakers (Salminen 2007). Also use Swedish [swe].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%.

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Ethnologue

Saami, North

Primary tabs

A language of Norway

Also spoken in:

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