"There Are Fewer and Fewer of Us – and There is More Opposition"

Linguistic Inequality Experienced and Understood by Young Swedish-speaking Adults in Ostrobothnia

Authors

• Stina Savolainen Turun yliopisto https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6785-6717

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30666/elore.143587

Keywords:

Swedish-speaking Finns, Swedish language, young adults, Ostrobothnia, linguistic rights, equality, services, discrimination, attitudes

Abstract

Swedish-speakers in Finland are more likely to experience harassment and prejudice than Finnish-speakers. One in five Swedish-speaking people have experienced some degree of language discrimination due to the use of their mother tongue. In my article, I focus on the inequality and attitudes faced by Swedish-speaking young people living in Ostrobothnia. I will focus on three main areas: access to services, language discrimination and young people’s thoughts on the negative attitudes faced by Swedish-speakers. Some young people have experienced harassment when speaking their mother tongue, Swedish. These experiences of language discrimination varied, but all interviewees shared the view that the Swedish and Finnish languages are not equal in all respects. They said that their rights as Swedish-speakers may not be taken seriously, or they may not always be honoured. Additionally, they may be subjected to unpleasant behaviour or verbal harassment. The research material was undertaken using an ethnographic approach. The results uncover and highlight the perspective of Swedish-speaking young people in Ostrobothnia, expanding on the very topical theme of discrimination. The article increases understanding of the importance of linguistic equality as part of the everyday well-being and rights of minority groups.