Tekijät

• Ministry of Justice
• University of Oulu. Giellagas Institute

Asiasanat

discrimination, language discrimination, language skills, minority language users, minority languages, multilingualism, public services

Sisällön kuvaus

Sámi Barometer 2020 is a survey conducted by the Ministry of Justice and the Giellagas Institute, aiming to examine the implementation of the Sámi Language Act. The data specifically investigates the availability, functionality, and development needs of Sámi-language services, as well as the realization of linguistic rights both within and outside the Sámi homeland in Finland. The 2020 survey focuses on education, cultural, and leisure services.

Respondents' language proficiency was assessed by asking how well they can speak, write, and understand each language (Inari Sámi, Skolt Sámi, North Sámi, and Finnish). Further questions explored in which contexts the respondent has learned Sámi (e.g., at home in childhood, in daycare, at school, as an adult) and to what extent they use Sámi in everyday life, at work, with family and relatives, and when dealing with authorities. If the respondent had or has underage children, they were asked which languages they speak to their children, what kind of daycare the children have attended, and in which language they go to school.

Respondents were asked how well they know their linguistic rights and the Sámi Language Act, and how important they consider linguistic rights. The survey examined the availability and functionality of public services (municipal and state services) in Sámi. Respondents living in the Sámi homeland were asked, among other things, about the availability and functionality of library, cultural or sports services, daycare, and basic education in their spoken Sámi language. In addition, the survey inquired how the municipality communicates about its activities in Sámi.

Respondents were also asked in which municipal or state functions they have received services in Sámi and in which areas increasing such services would be most important in their opinion. Furthermore, the survey asked what actions the municipality or state should take to develop Sámi-language services. The survey also explored the language climate in the municipality and possible experiences of discrimination, prejudice, or harassment due to the use of the Sámi language.

Background information in the data includes the respondent's gender, year of birth, level of education, employment status, mother tongue, and major region.