Page Type: languageSaami, North | Ethnologue

SME ISO 639-3

Saami, North

Sámegiella Autonym

A language of Norway

ISO 639
sme
Alternate Names
North Sámi, Northern Saami, Saami, Same, Samic, “Lapp” (pej.), “Northern Lappish” (pej.), “Norwegian Lapp” (pej.)
Autonym
Sámegiella
Population
20,000 in Norway (Laakso et al 2013). Ethnic population: 30,000 (1995 M. Krauss). Total users in all countries: 25,700.
Location:
Finnmark, Troms counties; Nordland county: Ofoten.
Language Status
2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Sami Administrative District (1987, Sami Act, No. 12, Article 3).
Classification
Uralic, Sami, Western, Northern
Dialects
Ruija, Torne, Sea Lappish. Two-thirds of all Saami speak Ruija dialect.
Typology
SVO; prepositions and postpositions; noun head final; dual number; case-marking (8 cases); verb affixes mark person, number; passives; comparatives; 30 consonants, 7 vowels, 4 diphthongs; non-tonal.
Language Use
In central Finnmark Province, where North Saami has an official status, many children learn the language and are likely to continue to use it in adulthood (Salminen 2007). Used by all. Also use Norwegian [nor].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Taught in primary schools. Bible: 1895.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Saami, North
Writing
Cyrillic script [Cyrl]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.
Other Comments
Formerly called “Finns” which they consider derogatory.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Saami, 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.
Dialects
Ruija, Torne, Sea Lappish.
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
The most widely spoken Saami language in Finland.
View other languages of Finland
Language Name
Saami, 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.
Dialects
Torne.
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
View other languages of Sweden

Map

Location: Finnmark, Troms counties; Nordland county: Ofoten.