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Sámi Language Policy in the Nordic Countries
Guy PuzeyUniversity
of
Edinburgh
Oilthigh
Dhùn
Èideann
British‐Irish Council Indigenous, Minority and Lesser‐Used Languages GroupLegislation Seminar7‐8 November 2013
Who are the Sámi?
Sámi
Saami
Old/politically incorrect names:
*Sami
*Lapps
*Finns (in Norway)
Sápmi
1. South Sámi (600)
2. Ume Sámi (10)
3. Pite Sámi (25-50)
4. Lule Sámi (1-2,000)
5. North Sámi (15-25,000)
6. Skolt Sámi (400)
7. Anár/Inari Sámi (300)
8. Kildin Sámi (600)
9. Ter Sámi (2)
Áhkkil/Akkala/Babinsk Sámi – possibly extinct
Kemi Sámi – extinct
Kainuu Sámi – extinct
Sámi languages (and latest numbers)
The Uralic languages
Identification as Sámi
Language
Ancestry/ethnic definitions
Place of residence
Occupation
Approx. 80,000-135,000 Sámi living in the Nordic countries.
20,000-30,000 speakers of Sámi languages.
Historical development of Sámi policy in modern Norway
Norwegianisation period c. 1870-1960s
Assimilation
Traditional culture > taboo/forbidden
Language ostracised
Nationalism (and fear of Finland?)
Territorial demarcation: borders
Land purchase rights linked to language
The Alta affair
Assimilation > integration
Constitution of Norway, Article 110a
(added 1988)
‘Det paaligger Statens Myndigheder at lægge Forholdene til Rette for at den samiske Folkegruppe kan sikre og udvikle sit Sprog, sin Kultur og sit Samfundsliv.’
‘It is the responsibility of the authorities of the State to create conditions enabling the Sámi people to safeguard and develop their language, culture and way of life.’
The Sámi Act 1987
Came into force 1989
All-encompassing law
Established Norwegian Sámi Parliament (Sámediggi) in Kárášjohka-Karasjok
Voting eligibility based on identity, language and ancestry
10,040 voters in September 2013 elections
International agreements
ILO Convention no. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ratified by Norway in 1990)
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)
Language-specific legislation
Sámi and Norwegian ‘languages of equal worth’
Equal status in certain localities
Forvaltningsområdet for samisk språk[Sámi Language Administrative Area]
Right to reply
Translations of rules
Use of Sámi in court proceedings
Health and social sector
Individual church services
Right to leave of absence for education
Right to tuition
Municipal administration
Sámi in other legislation
Place-Name Act 1990, Article 9
‘Samiske og kvenske stadnamn som blir nytta blant folk som bur fast på eller har næringsmessig tilknyting til staden, skal til vanleg brukast av det offentlege t.d. på kart, skilt, i register saman med eventuelt norsk namn.’
‘Sámi and Kven place-names that are used among those who are resident in the place in question, or among those who have economic connections to the place, will normally be used by government bodies on e.g. maps, signs and in registers, together with any existing Norwegian name.’
A vandalised bilingual Sámi/Norwegian municipal boundary sign from Gáivuotna‐Kåfjord.
Photograph: April 2007
Sámi parliaments/assemblies outside Norway
Sweden: Parliament since 1993 in Kiruna-Giron
4,530 voters in 2013
Largest party = Jakt- och fiskesamerna
Finland: Parliament since 1996 in Inari (Aanaar [in Inari Sámi] / Enare [in Swedish])
Elected by municipalities in Sámi Domicile Area in northern Finland
Russia: Unofficial Kola Sámi Assembly in 2010, not yet recognised by authorities but supported by other Sámi assemblies
International co-operation
Future Nordic Sámi Convention?
Arctic Council
International Barents Secretariat
Guy PuzeyUniversity of
Edinburgh
Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann
British‐Irish Council Indigenous, Minority and Lesser‐Used Languages GroupLegislation Seminar7‐8 November 2013