The Language Landscape of Finland: Swedish vs. Finnish

Finland, a country nestled in Northern Europe, is known for its multicultural and multilingual heritage. The official languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish, each with its own history and significance in the nation's rich linguistic tapestry. However, the relationship between these languages is complex and often subject to ongoing debates and political shifts.

Understanding Swedish in Finland

Interestingly, the majority of Finns do not speak Swedish as their first language. In fact, only a small percentage of Finns are native Swedish speakers, estimated between 5-6% of the population. However, a significant number of Finns can understand Swedish, a crucial factor in the language's presence in everyday life. According to a 2017 study commissioned by the Swedish University Consortium (Akademi) and the universities of Turku and Tampere, approximately 74% of Finns want to remove compulsory Swedish from all education. This statistic paints a picture of the complex and evolving nature of language policies in Finland.

Language Education and Policy in Finland

Swedish is a mandatory part of the Finnish educational system, making it compulsory for students from primary school to university. This is due to historical and cultural reasons. Finland was under Swedish rule for centuries, particularly during the Middle Ages. As a result, Swedish is deeply embedded in the nation's educational infrastructure. The situation remains absurd given the demographics: 85% of Finns speak Finnish as their first language, a 5% minority are Swedish-speaking, and the remaining 10% speak various other languages.

Higher education in Finland has historically been conducted in both Finnish and Swedish. However, the evolution of this bilingual approach has been debated. The first unilingually Finnish university, the University of Turku, was established in 1920. Today, all universities in Finland must officially use both Finnish and Swedish names. Three Swedish universities in Finland have their names solely in Swedish, reflecting the complex political and cultural dynamics at play.

Controversies and Debates

The push to remove compulsory Swedish education stems from various stakeholders, including educational institutions, politicians, and the general public. According to the 2017 study, the Swedish Foundation for “Bilingual Finland” is actively supporting the movement to maintain mandatory Swedish in education. This organization has donated substantial funds, such as 6000 euros to the current Prime Minister, to promote their agenda.

The Swedish government, despite no longer directly governing Finland, remains highly interested in the linguistic policies of its former colony. Any attempts to shift language policies in Finland are closely monitored, and the Swedish government reacts swiftly to any changes.

It is worth noting that Finland has a unique region, Aland, where Swedish is the only official language. Moreover, the former mandatory Finnish language instruction in schools was abolished in 2007.

The language policies in Finland are heavily distorted towards Finnish. Despite Swedish being the second official language, it is often seen as an artificial status. As Finland's former Prime Minister Goran Persson noted on Finnish TV, "Sweden would never have enough money for official bilingualism as Finland has."

While Swedish is mandatory in the educational system, the majority of Finns find it burdensome to learn. Many Finns regard Swedish as an unnecessary additional burden, especially since English, which is not compulsory, is widely understood and studied in the country.

Conclusion

The relationship between Finnish and Swedish in Finland is complex, involving historical, cultural, and political factors. While a majority of Finns do not speak Swedish, the language's presence in education and society remains significant. The ongoing debates around the necessity of making Swedish mandatory in the education system highlight the dynamic nature of Finland's language policies and the evolving perspectives of its inhabitants.

Keywords:

Svenska in Finland, Finnish Language, Bilingual Education