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A Speak Languages! website
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A winter sunset in Finland
The aim of Speak Finnish! is to provide a high quality language resource for those who wish to learn how to speak Finnish.
It is part of the Speak Languages! network of websites.
Access to the site is free. We are currently adding sound, and soon users will also be able to hear all the phrases and vocabulary spoken by native Finnish speakers for a small subscription fee.
If you have any comments or suggestions, or spot any mistakes however small, please contact us – we appreciate your feedback.
Speak English!
www.speakenglish.co.uk
Speak Spanish!
www.speakspanish.co.uk
Speak French!
www.speakfrench.co.uk
Speak Italian!
www.speakitalian.co.uk
Speak German!
www.speakgerman.co.uk
Speak Russian!
www.speakrussian.co.uk
Speak Estonian!
www.speakestonian.co.uk
Finnish is spoken by about 6 million people worldwide, around 5 million of whom live in Finland itself. Other Finnish-speaking populations exist in Sweden, Russia, the USA, and Canada, amongst others.
It is a member of the Finno-Ugric language family, being closely related to Estonian and more distantly so to Hungarian. It's not an Indo-European language such as French or Spanish, and so the majority of words in Finnish will look totally unfamiliar to someone whose mother tongue is English.
Finnish is not considered to be a particularly easy language to learn for English-speakers. However, don't be put off! With a little practice, you should soon find yourself able to get by in most everyday situations.
You enjoy a challenge
With fifteen different cases and distinctive vocabulary, Finnish should test even the most capable
linguist! If you've studied other European languages in the past, you may find it refreshing to learn one where
you effectively have to start entirely from scratch.
It sounds beautiful
Finnish is the only language with more vowels than consonants in normal speech. It's melodic, vowel-rich words give in an undeniably exotic and beautiful sound.
It's rewarding
Finns are enormously appreciative of any attempts by foreigners to speak their language, which makes practising
what you've learnt a particular pleasure. Any trip or stay in Finland will be enriched if you take the time
to learn a little of the language before you go.