Finnish, Kven
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A language of Norway
Alternate Names
Kainu, Kainun kieli, Kveenin, Kveenin kieli, Kven, Kvensk, Kvääna, North Finnish
Autonym
Kvääni, Kväänin kieli
User Population
1,500 (Laakso et al 2013).
Location
Finnmark and Troms counties: Kveeniland, Ruija; Tromso; Cities: Alta, Borselv, Bygoynes, Kvaenangsbotn, Neiden, Nordreisa, Oteren, Skibotn, Storslett, and Vadso.
Language Maps
Language Status
8a (Moribund).
Dialects
Considered Old Finnish, speakers of Meänkieli [fit] and Kven recognize the differences between the two. Standard Finnish [fin] speakers generally understand, except for some vocabulary. Reportedly more similar to Meänkieli than to standard Finnish. Various dialects: northwest coast varieties differ from east. Kven integrates Norwegian [nor] loans, whereas Meänkieli has integrated Swedish [swe] loans.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Over 90% in Finnish [fin]. Taught in schools 3 hours a week. Newspapers.
Christian.