Diclaimer: When I switch to a keyboard with an umlaut key, I can't type as fast so I will type the Finnish words below without the umlauts. Earlier this week, I learned that the dots above vowels are not called umlauts in Finnish as they are in German. They are called dots.
Finnish sounds like no language that I have any experience with and it is more closely related to Hungarian than Swedish or Russian. I can manage basic communication in French, Spanish and German but not Finnish. Thankfully, the Finns learn English from an early age, most Finns speak it very well, and are incredibly hospitable and kind. I'm moving past the disorientation of having absolutely no idea what anyone is saying. Last week, I was at the Fulbright Finland Orientation on Thursday and Friday where we were introduced to some basic vocabulary and general rules. Some characteristics of Finnish are easier than others. Easy - Every letter is pronounced the same every time. Easy - The accent is always on the first syllable. Harder - she and he don't exist. There is only one pronoun, Han, for both. This does not pose a problem for me yet because I'm still focused on pronouncing single words but I'm sure I'll struggle if I advance enough in my studies to attempt sentences. Harder - Lots of double letters, both vowels and consonants, and like German, many long compound words. What I have mastered and can recognize: Moi = Hello Suklaa = Chocolate Moi Moi = Goodbye Fazer (pronounced Fat-zer) = brand Kiitos = Thank you of delicious Finnish chocolate Kahvia = Coffee Kaksi = two Tervetuloa = welcome luonno = natural (used w/ vegetables at the grocery store) What I am working on: Hyvaa = Good, pronounced HooVah Huomenta = Morning Hyvaa Huomenta = Good Morning Orange - Appel Orange Juice - Appelsiinimehu Not sure I'll get there in 6 months: Juoksentelisinkohmn - I wonder if I should wander around aimlessly? Uusi Sisustusmyymala Avattu - has something to do w/ furniture. In a newspaper ad. Here's a link to a blog about Finnish language with a page that includes the 10 best words/phrases in the Finnish language. It's where I found Juoksentelisinkohmn? https://thefinnishteacher.weebly.com/the-10-best-wordsphrases-in-the-finnish-language.html
1 Comment
Liza
2/3/2018 02:27:36 am
I love that you've mastered the words for coffee and chocolate and the particular brand of chocolate! Keep keeping us posted!
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Sarah FlynnI am a high school art teacher from Boulder Valley School District in Colorado studying craft education in Jyvaskyla, Finland. I am in Finland through a grant from the Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching program and the Fulbright Finland Foundation. Archives
April 2018
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