Authors

• Herberts, Kjell (Åbo Akademi University. Social Science Research Institute)

Keywords

Swedish-speaking Finns, cultural identity, identity, language, mass media, minority groups, minority language users, national identity, politics, press, radio (joukkoviestimet), social systems, television, values

Abstract

This study charted the identity of Swedish-speaking Finns and their opinions on various aspects of everyday life, such as politics and society, the use of mass media, values, and identity. The study was funded by the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland (Svenska kulturfonden).

The first questions revolved around language. The respondents' and their families' Finnish and Swedish language skills were surveyed. It was examined whether the respondents had used Swedish, Finnish or both in different types of contexts, e.g. at home, at school, with friends, at bureaus and banks, and at work. The respondents were asked to evaluate how happy they had been with the service they had received in e.g. post offices, city councils, police stations, and libraries. The respondents were also asked which language was or would be their children's language at school.

The respondents' views on media, the press, radio, and television were also surveyed. Their preferred newspapers, radio stations and television channels were examined, as well as the time the respondents spent with these types of media per day. The respondents' internet use was also examined.

The respondents' interest in different types of activism and associations was charted. Finally, the respondents were presented with attitudinal statements regarding the state of Swedish in Finland.

Background variables included e.g. region of residence, age group, gender, education level, economic activity and occupational status, marital status, and household composition.