Language, names, words and phrases

North Sami is the largest of the Sami languages. The language is divided into three main dialects: Sea Sami, Finnmark Sami and Tornese Sami. Thorn Sami was spoken in the Lyngen area and Nordreisa, while the dialect in Kvænangen was Sea Sami.

Many years of harsh Norwegianisation and the Second World War resulted in a language shift from Sami to Norwegian for many people in North Troms. Sami became a ”kitchen language”, and children were not taught the language.

Language, names, words and phrases

Eventyret om Olmmái

The adventure of Olmmái

Northern peoples

Inga-Wiktoria Påve, together with young people from Riddu Riđđu's youth staff and photographer Eirin Roseneng, have recreated how Olmmáivággi got its name.

Samisk navnetradisjon

Sami naming tradition

Northern peoples

In the past, first names and surnames were not used in Sami. Instead, one of the parents' names was often put in front of the child's name.

Kult å kunne samisk

Cool to know Sami

Northern peoples

- "Sami is a language that is disappearing, and it's important to preserve it. It's part of history and us here in the north," says Sajane Olsen (16) from Manndalen. She hopes that her generation will preserve the language and pass it on.

Grenevevingsord: samisk- norsk

Weaving words: Sami - Norwegian

Northern peoples

Some of the words used in connection with branch weaving are of Old Norse origin. The words used in Kåfjord today are mostly Sami and are an important part of the branch tradition.

Kofte – Ordliste

Kofte - Glossary

Northern peoples

Words used by Ole Thomassen and Peder Mikalsen in their descriptions of the koften in Lyngen.

Samiske språksentre

Sami language centres

Northern peoples

The Sámi language centres are a meeting place for the Sámi population in the area, in addition to organising Sámi courses. The activities offered by the various language centres vary slightly, but they tend to have activities for different age groups. At the language centres, you can learn more about Sami culture, sign up for duodji and language courses, and get to know other Sami people in the area.

Strid og forsoning

Strife and reconciliation

Northern peoples

The Sami Language Act came into force in Kåfjord municipality in 1992. The law triggered a fierce and implacable battle that lasted a whole decade.

Fiske ordliste

Fishing glossary

Northern peoples

Norwegian - Sami glossary from fishing. Kåfjord Sami.

Våres norsk

Our Norwegian

Northern peoples

Dialects in Sea Sami areas are often influenced by both Sami and Kven/Finnish. There are many examples of this in different dialects. In 2012, Lisa Vangen published a booklet called «Våres norsk» ("Our Norwegian") with dialect expressions from North Troms. The glossary and expressions below are taken from this booklet.

Gerd Mikalsen debuterer med romanen «Farsmålet». Foto: Ørjan Bertelsen.

Gerd Mikalsen makes her debut with the novel «Farsmålet». Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen.

Northern peoples

The grief over a lost language and a father who was apparently someone else was the reason why Gerd Mikalsen from Manndalen decided to embark on a writing project, which has resulted in her debut novel ”Farsmålet”.