Why Finnish Children Should Continue Learning Swedish
Is it Time to Abolish Swedish as a School Subject for Finnish Children?
With only about 55,000 people in Finland speaking Swedish (less than 1% of the population), it might seem nonsensical for Finnish children to learn Swedish in school. This article examines the reasons why this language should remain an essential part of Finnish education despite the challenges and criticisms.
The Multilingual Landscape of Finland
Finland is officially a bilingual nation, with both Finnish and Swedish recognized as national languages. However, the reality is somewhat different, with English being more widely spoken than Swedish among Finnish people. Despite this, the political landscape continues to insist on maintaining Swedish as a mandatory subject in schools.
The push to remove Swedish from the curriculum has gained momentum from some political quarters, but as the Swedish People's Party (Rikspartiet in Swedish, or RKP in Finnish) is now part of the government coalition, it seems unlikely that this change will occur anytime soon. The party's desire to dismantle the system has been met with resistance from other political parties, which support the continuation of Swedish as a mandatory subject.
Swedish: More Than Just a Language for Sweden
Learning Swedish in Finland offers practical benefits beyond simply communicating with Swedes. Knowledge of Swedish can enable Finnish speakers to converse with Danes and Norwegians with relative ease, albeit in English. While English is often the preferred language in such inter-nordic interactions, Swedish can serve as a valuable bridge language, making international communication smoother and more efficient.
Legal and Official Reasons
The importance of Swedish in Finnish education goes beyond practical considerations. Swedish is one of the two official languages in Finland, alongside Finnish. Its status as an official language means that those who speak Swedish are entitled to receive government services and communication in Swedish. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that there are enough fluent Swedish speakers in Finland to provide these services effectively.
Since 1976, the Swedish People's Party (RKP) has been a constant presence in Finnish government, except for a brief period between 2015 and 2019. This political leverage has ensured that Swedish remains a mandatory subject in Finnish schools. Moreover, while higher education in Sweden has always been mandatory for students studying in a related field, the legal requirement for all students to study Swedish was established in the 1970s.
Bilingualism in Finland
Beyond the practical and legal reasons, bilingualism in Finland plays a crucial role. Finland's bilingual national identity is inextricably linked to its past and present. Swedish was historically the language of the ruling classes, and it is still spoken in certain regions of Finland, particularly in the coastal areas. Teaching Swedish in schools helps preserve this heritage and promotes cultural inclusiveness.
It should be noted that while Swedish is one of the official languages, it is not taught in Finland because it is linked to Sweden. Rather, it is one of the domestic languages of Finland that is included in the education system to maintain cultural and linguistic diversity. Approximately 55,000 Finnish citizens (about 1.5% of the population) speak Swedish natively.
Ensuring Swedish Usage at an Official Level
The ultimate goal of teaching Swedish in Finnish schools is to ensure the usage of the language at an official level. This means that there must be enough fluently-speaking Swedish officials to provide public services in Swedish. The Swedish-speaking population is entitled to governmental services in their preferred language, and this cannot happen without sufficient representation in government institutions.
In conclusion, while the percentage of Swedish speakers in Finland may be relatively low, the reasons for maintaining Swedish as a mandatory language in the Finnish education system are manifold. Beyond its practical applications and legal obligations, it serves as a cultural bridge and a tool for official communication. As such, it remains an essential component of Finnish national identity and education.
Keywords: Swedish language, Finnish education, bilingualism