Page Type: languageFinnish, Kven | Ethnologue

FKV ISO 639-3

Finnish, Kven

Kvääni, Kväänin kieli Autonym

A language of Norway

ISO 639
fkv
Alternate Names
Kainu, Kainun kieli, Kveenin, Kveenin kieli, Kven, Kvensk, Kvääna, North Finnish
Autonym
Kvääni, Kväänin kieli
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 Status
8a (Moribund).
Classification
Uralic, Finnic
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 Use
Older adults only. Shifted to Norwegian [nor]. Also use Finnish [fin].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Over 90% in Finnish [fin]. Taught in schools 3 hours a week. Newspapers.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Finnish, Kven
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Finnmark and Troms counties: Kveeniland, Ruija; Tromso; Cities: Alta, Borselv, Bygoynes, Kvaenangsbotn, Neiden, Nordreisa, Oteren, Skibotn, Storslett, and Vadso.