Saami, North

A language of Norway

Location

Finnmark, Troms counties; Nordland county: Ofoten.

Also spoken in:

Expand All

Collapse All

Finland

Language NameSaami, North

User Population

1,700 in Finland (2001 census). 2,000 all Saami in Finland (2018 census). Ethnic population: 3,500 (1995 M. Krauss).

Location

Lapland region: Enontekiö, western Inari, Sodankylä, and Utsjoki municipalities.

Alternate Names

Davvin, Northern Lapp, Saame, Same, Sámegiella, “Lapp” (pej.)

Dialects

Ruija, Torne, Sea Lappish.

Language Status

6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086).

Language Use

Giving way to dominant languages in some areas (Salminen 2007). Some young people, all adults. Some child speakers (Salminen 2007). Also use Finnish [fin].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 30%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Taught as subject in a few primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

The most widely spoken Saami language in Finland.

View other languages of Finland

Sweden

Language NameSaami, North

User Population

4,000 in Sweden (Krauss 1992). Ethnic population: 5,000 (1994 SIL).

Location

Norrbotten county: Arjeplog, Arvidsjaur, Gällivare, Jokkmokk, Jukkasjärvi, Karesuando, and Kiruna municipalities.

Alternate Names

Northern Lappish, Northern Saami, Norwegian Saami, Saame, Same, Samic, Sámegiella, “Lapp” (pej.)

Dialects

Torne.

Language Status

6b (Threatened). Provincially recognized language in administrative area municipalities located in at least part of the following counties: Dalarna, Jämtland, Norrbotten, Västerbotten (2009, NMNML Act No. 724, Article 6).

Language Use

Giving way to dominant languages in some areas (Salminen 2007). Some young people, all adults. Some child speakers (Salminen 2007). Also use Swedish [swe].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%.

View other languages of Sweden

Saami, North

Primary tabs

A language of Norway

Also spoken in:

Browse by

25th Edition

Products

Related Sites