Language/Finnish/Grammar/Regional-Finnish-Dialects

Finnish → Grammar → Regional Finnish Dialects

Finland is a country with a unique language and culture. While Standard Finnish is the official language of Finland, there are several regional dialects spoken throughout the country. In this lesson, we will explore the different regional dialects of Finnish, their unique grammar rules, and pronunciation.

Overview

Finnish dialects can be grouped into two main categories: Eastern and Western dialects. The Eastern dialects are spoken in areas such as Karelia, Savonia, and Kainuu, while the Western dialects are spoken in areas such as Ostrobothnia and Southern Finland.

Each dialect has its own unique characteristics and features, including differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Some regional dialects may be difficult for non-native speakers to understand at first, but with practice, anyone can learn to communicate effectively in any Finnish dialect.

Regional Dialects

Let's take a closer look at some of the regional dialects of Finnish and their unique characteristics:

Savonian Dialect

The Savonian dialect is spoken in the Savonia region of Eastern Finland. It is known for its musicality and singsong intonation. In the Savonian dialect, the letter "t" is often pronounced like an "s", and the letter "d" is pronounced like a "v". For example, the Finnish word "mitä" (what) is pronounced as "misä" in the Savonian dialect.

The Savonian dialect also has a unique form of the imperative verb mood. Instead of using the standard -kaa/-kää endings, the Savonian dialect uses -o/-ö endings. For example, the phrase "Come here!" would be "Tulo tänne!" in standard Finnish, but would be "Tulo tänne o!" in the Savonian dialect.

Ostrobothnian Dialect

The Ostrobothnian dialect is spoken in the western part of Finland, specifically in the Ostrobothnia region. It is known for its distinctive accent and vocabulary.

In the Ostrobothnian dialect, the letter "d" is pronounced like a "t", and the letter "g" is pronounced like a "k". Additionally, the Ostrobothnian dialect uses a unique version of the Finnish verb "olla" (to be) known as "ookko". For example, the phrase "Are you coming?" would be "Tuletko?" in standard Finnish, but would be "Tuhlataanko?" in the Ostrobothnian dialect.

Tavastian Dialect

The Tavastian dialect is spoken in the Tavastia region of Southern Finland. It is known for its distinctively clipped and exaggerated pronunciation.

In the Tavastian dialect, the letter "s" is often pronounced like a "sh" sound, and the letter "l" is pronounced like a "j" sound. Additionally, the Tavastian dialect uses unique forms of the Finnish verb "olla" (to be) and "se" (this). For example, the phrase "This is mine" would be "Tämä on minun" in standard Finnish, but would be "Tää on mun" in the Tavastian dialect.

Conclusion

Learning about Finnish regional dialects is an important part of understanding the Finnish language and culture. While the differences between dialects may be subtle, they add a richness and diversity to the Finnish language that should be celebrated and appreciated.

As a beginner learner, it's important to focus on learning Standard Finnish first. However, as you become more comfortable with the language, exploring the different regional dialects of Finnish can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Sources

• Finnish language - Wikipedia
• Is Finnish a difficult language? - thisisFINLAND
• Colloquial Finnish - Wikipedia
• Journal: Old and New Finnish Grammar – City of Sound

Related Lessons

• Finnish Nouns: Inflection and Gender
• Imperative Mood
• Questions
• Finnish Verbs: Past Tense
• Plurals
• Present Tense
• Finnish Adjectives and Pronouns
• Conditional Mood
• Conditional Tense