Well, there are some that prove to be elusive. But you also live in a multi-language paradise, right? Finnish and Swedish? Or do they only speak Swedish where you live?
It’s Swedish for the most part - Åland is an autonomous province of Finland & has always been Swedish speaking. The whole of what we now know of as Finland was under Swedish rule for 800 years until 1809 when Russia took over Finland & Åland for 100 years. In 1917 the Åland Question was so big (which country would we belong to) it wen to the League of Nations. Since that decision in 1922, Åland has been part of Finland with strict language laws in place to protect the (minority) Swedish. There are Swedish speaking Finns on the mainland too, but that’s declining, despite Finland having 2 national languages, both Finnish & Swedish. For me, a recent ‘blow in’, I speak Swedish only, no Finnish but can still apply for citizenship next year based on my knowledge of Swedish 😁
How fun! Enjoy French! 😉
Thanks, Sarah. It is fun, indeed.
So many languages!! Have a great weekend Arjan!
Well, there are some that prove to be elusive. But you also live in a multi-language paradise, right? Finnish and Swedish? Or do they only speak Swedish where you live?
It’s Swedish for the most part - Åland is an autonomous province of Finland & has always been Swedish speaking. The whole of what we now know of as Finland was under Swedish rule for 800 years until 1809 when Russia took over Finland & Åland for 100 years. In 1917 the Åland Question was so big (which country would we belong to) it wen to the League of Nations. Since that decision in 1922, Åland has been part of Finland with strict language laws in place to protect the (minority) Swedish. There are Swedish speaking Finns on the mainland too, but that’s declining, despite Finland having 2 national languages, both Finnish & Swedish. For me, a recent ‘blow in’, I speak Swedish only, no Finnish but can still apply for citizenship next year based on my knowledge of Swedish 😁