Saami, Skolt

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A language of Finland

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Kolta, Koltta, Lopar, Russian Lapp, Saame, Same, Skolt Lappish, “Lapp” (pej.)

Population

300 (Salminen 2007). 1,830 all Saami in Finland (2010 census). Ethnic population: 500 (1995 M. Krauss). Total users in all countries: 650.

Location

Lapland region: Inari municipality, Sevettijärvi area.

Language Maps

Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

Western Russia

Language Status

7 (Shifting). Statutory language of provincial identity in Sodankyla in Lapland, 3 municipalities elsewhere (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086).

Classification

Uralic, Sami, Eastern

Language Use

Very few children learn the language (Salminen 2007). 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.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Saami, Skolt

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Moved to Finland from Russia during World War II. Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Russian Federation

Language nameSaami, Skolt

Population

350 (2010 census). Census includes Kildin Saami [sjd] and Ter Saami [sjt]. 20 speakers (1995 M. Krauss). Ethnic population: 400 (1995 M. Krauss). 1,770 including all Saami (2010 census).

Location

Murmanskaya Oblast’: north and west Kola peninsula, Petsamo area.

Alternate Names

Kolta, Lopar, Saam, Skolt, “Lapp” (pej.), “Russian Lapp” (pej.), “Skolt Lappish” (pej.)

Dialects

Notozer, Yokan.

Status

8b (Nearly extinct).

Language Use

Elderly only (Salminen 2007). Also use Russian [rus].

Other Comments

Preferred ethnic autonym: Saami. Christian.

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Ethnologue

Saami, Skolt

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A language of Finland

Also spoken in:

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