Saami, Inari
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A language of Finland
Alternate Names
Anar, Saam, Saame, Samic, Sámi, “Finnish Lapp” (pej.), “Inari Lappish” (pej.), “Lapp” (pej.)
Autonym
Anarâškielâ
User Population
300 (2001 census). 2,000 all Saami in Finland (2018 census). Ethnic population: 700 (1995 M. Krauss).
Location
Lapland region: mostly Utsjoki border town area between Lake Inari and Norway border.
Language Maps
Language Status
2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Sodankyla in Lapland, 3 municipalities elsewhere (2003, Sami Language Act No. 1086).
Language Use
Few children used to learn it before the founding of the first Inari Saami language nest in 1997. Now a substantial portion of youth are growing as functional bilinguals (Salminen 2007). Also use Finnish [fin], especially in instruction in schools.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 30%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Taught as subject in a few primary and secondary schools. Bible portions: 1903–1980.
Some literature.