Sami languages revive in their diversity
The nameplace Lapland conjures up distant territories, bitter cold, and a sun that never sets. The indigenous inhabitants of these lands were formerly known as Lapps. A long time ago, the Sami chose to ostracize that exonym, which today is considered pejorative. Their history is linked to the oppression exercised by the Scandinavian states of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, as well as the Russian Federation. But that's not the only fragmentation they have. The Sami acknowledge the whole of their territory by the names of Sápmi, Sábme, Saepmie, Sábmie, Säämi, Sääʹmjânnam, or Saam' jiemm'n'e among others. Each of these endonyms corresponds to a Sami language. Depending on the state, each language has different demographic, geographical, and sociolinguistic factors. Unfortunately, they all share the same problem; the danger of extinction. Revitalization is the key to survival. Keep reading