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HELSINKI, Uusimaa, Finland / YLE News / February 13, 2009
Joensuu University has launched Finland’s first Karelian language professorship.
Karelian associations say they hope the appointment will help raise younger generations' interest in Karelian language and culture. Karelian language classes are now offered in two places in the world: Joensuu and Petroskoi, Russia. The Joensuu region’s strong Karelian cultural heritage has been the driver behind the new professorship.
The Karelian language, which is closely related to Finnish, is today spoken by a couple of thousand of elderly people.
Marjatta Palander, a Finnish-language professor, says the new university appointment will give the language a real boost.
“Children and grandchildren of Karelian evacuees live in eastern Finland. These are people who are still in touch with their Karelian roots,” says Palander.
“It would also be good to bring Karelian language classes into schools and into areas where Karelians live,” says Pekka Zakov, the newly-minted professor of Karelian language and culture at Joensuu University.
Karelian for Kindergartners? In an attempt to infuse new life into a dying language, the Karelian Language Association is pushing for the establishment of a Karelian language immersion group at a kindergarten in the eastern town of Nurmes.
The Republic of Karelia today is divided between Finland and Russia.
“If parents are unable to speak the language of their ancestors and can’t pass it on to their children, then immersion groups become crucial,” says Timo Munne of the Karelian Language Association.
YLE
HELSINKI, Uusimaa, Finland / YLE News / February 13, 2009
Joensuu University has launched Finland’s first Karelian language professorship.
Karelian associations say they hope the appointment will help raise younger generations' interest in Karelian language and culture. Karelian language classes are now offered in two places in the world: Joensuu and Petroskoi, Russia. The Joensuu region’s strong Karelian cultural heritage has been the driver behind the new professorship.
The Karelian language, which is closely related to Finnish, is today spoken by a couple of thousand of elderly people.
Marjatta Palander, a Finnish-language professor, says the new university appointment will give the language a real boost.
“Children and grandchildren of Karelian evacuees live in eastern Finland. These are people who are still in touch with their Karelian roots,” says Palander.
“It would also be good to bring Karelian language classes into schools and into areas where Karelians live,” says Pekka Zakov, the newly-minted professor of Karelian language and culture at Joensuu University.
Karelian for Kindergartners? In an attempt to infuse new life into a dying language, the Karelian Language Association is pushing for the establishment of a Karelian language immersion group at a kindergarten in the eastern town of Nurmes.
The Republic of Karelia today is divided between Finland and Russia.
“If parents are unable to speak the language of their ancestors and can’t pass it on to their children, then immersion groups become crucial,” says Timo Munne of the Karelian Language Association.
YLE
