Meänkieli is a Finnic language spoken along the valley of the Torne River (Tornionväylä) in northern Sweden, and also in neighbouring parts of Finland. There are about 30,000 speakers of Meänkieli mainly in Norrbotten county of Sweden, and 30,000 in the Lapland region of Finland. Meänkieli is recognized as a minority language in Sweden. Some people believe it to be a cluster of Finnish dialects, however it is only partially intelligible with Finnish.
The name Meänkieli means "our language". The language is also known as tornedalsfinska (Torne Valley Finnish), Tornedalen Finnish or North Finnish. There are two groups of dialects: Torne Valley dialects and Gällivare dialects.
Most Meänkieli speakers also speak Swedish, and many speak Finnish. Meänkieli is spoken mainly by older people, is taught in a number of universities, and is used in books, films, TV shows and on the radio.
Download an alphabet chart for Meänkieli (Excel)
Meän Isä, joka olet taihvaissa. Pyhitetty olkhoon sinun nimesti. Tulkhoon sinun valtakuntasti. Tapahtukhoon sinun tahtosti, niin taihvaassa ko maan päälä. Anna meile tänäpänä jokapäivänen leipä, ja anna meile antheeksi meän velat, niinko mekki annama antheeksi niile, joilta met olema saamassa. Äläkä vie meitä frästaukshiin, mutta pelasta meän pahasta. Ammen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Details provided by Michael Peter Füsutumum
Information about the Meänkieli language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me%C3%A4nkieli
https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Me%C3%A4nkieli
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/fit
https://fennia.journal.fi/article/view/74047you
Estonian, Finnish, Karelian, Kven, Livvi-Karelian, Livonian, Ludic, Meänkieli, Seto, Veps, Võro, Votic
Languages written with the Latin alphabet
Page last modified: 23.04.21
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