Language issues
I recently started blogging in English “to serve” better readers outside Finland. To my surprise most of the visitors come from Finland to this English blog!
It might take a while before things change (or not).
I have suggested that the Finnish Flat coated Retriever Society would have the website also in English. Now there is discussion on going about it. To my big surprise some people have said that before English we should have the site in Swedish first!
“Ancient legislation” says that Finnish and Swedish are the official languages in Finland. There are 91.2% native Finnish speakers in Finland and 5.5% Swedish native speakers. From those Swedish speakers 45% think their Finnish is fluent. (source: Folktinget, 2003. Suomenruotsalaiset. Verkkojulkaisuna: www.folktinget.fi.)
The New York Times journalist Lizette Alvarez says: “A result of that constitutional mandate, few would disagree, is that Finland is home to the world’s most pampered minority, the endangered Swedish-speaking Finn. Even as their numbers and influence dwindle – from a high of 14 percent of the population in 1880 to 5 percent today – their rights continue to flourish.”
To my understanding people outside of Nordic countries are interested in our flatcoats and would love to know more about them by visiting English version of the Finnish FCR Society pages. Am I wrong?
Anyway I’m thinking about translating them anyway. There are lots of interesting topics (eg. breeding ethics in Finland). Would you be interested visiting the site?
Michelle, Baxter & Finley writes:
01.12.2008 at 16:23
We quite like English. The Finnish blog was a little difficult to understand however we did persevere & Swedish would be a similar challenge.
On another note. Have you seen that Eddie & Baxter have some new relations advertised on champs dogs. http://www.champdogs.co.uk/
The bitch is Belsud Brown Springbank. They are very lovely looking pups. I am trying to resist a third.
sari writes:
01.12.2008 at 16:31
Oh, the bitch is my dear Ella’s (RIP) litter sister! You can also find the litter brother in Norway (http://www.flatgarden.com => Fredrik).
That would make the bitch Eddie’s & Baxter’s aunt.
Thank you for letting me know!
Michelle, Baxter & Finley writes:
01.12.2008 at 19:09
Are you thinking of getting another one?
sari writes:
01.12.2008 at 21:01
I think the current ones need to grow up a bit more before getting a new puppy.
What about you?
Michelle, Baxter & Finley writes:
02.12.2008 at 00:15
Finley has managed to do another amendment to the washing machine (the service box and the emergency drainage pipe) & I will need to get some more new parts. I think my two should grow up a little also. 21 months & 19 weeks is a handfull. Finley learnt to swim on Saturday. He is quite good. Maybe that is why he likes the washing machine!
Sara & Flyer & Toke writes:
02.12.2008 at 16:41
We prefer English (but that’s because we are language-challenged and can’t read, write or speak anything else!).