The sámi language: Pressure of change and reification
- Autores: Marjut Aikio
- Localización: Journal of multilingual and multicultural development, ISSN 0143-4632, Vol. 12, Nº. 1-2, 1991, págs. 93-103
- Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
The author analyses dominant trends in the linguistic situation of Finnish Sámi. Her aim is to discuss these trends as a component of indigenous peoples’ problems with linguistic inequality. The crucial question is whether the changing international status of indigenous people will lead to concrete political decisions in Finland.
Three factors contribute to Sámi language shift: an overall decline in the status of native language, an assimilationist school system, and a lack of functional contexts to use the Sámi language. Present school instruction in Sámi is too insignificant to counteract the pressure of the mainstream society. Parallel to this is the process of language reification: the written part of the language becomes dehumanised and moves beyond the reach of its users.
The author emphasises that the language must not be seen in a position too detached from the Same culture. The close relationship between linguistic, political, social, economic, and territorial rights must be recognised.
