Erik Mickwitz: Language law came at convenient time
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By Timo Hämäläinen
November 6th is celebrated by Finland’s Swedish-speakers as Svenska Dagen . One of the main purposes of the celebration is to highlight the right of Finland’s Swedish-speakers to use their mother tongue. It is also increasingly being observed by the whole population to celebrate the bilingual character of the country.
Svenska Dagen has been celebrated annually since 1908.
”The significance of Svenska Dagen is somewhat difficult to define,” says Erik Mickwitz , 65, the secretary-general of Folktinget , an organisation which promotes the interests of Finland’s Swedish-speakers, and which is in charge of the national celebration.
The first such celebration resulted in something of a scandal, when Swedish singer Mikael Wiehe caused controversy in Helsinki. This resulted in months of heated debate in Helsinki’s main Swedish-language newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet.
This Saturday is also Gustaf Adolf’s Day, commemorating the Swedish king of the same name, who died in battle on November 9th, 1632 in Lützen.
”Some regard him as a failure, others say he had a significant effect on the development of Swedish culture and the Swedish language.”
“We are now also taking the youth into consideration - those for whom solemnly singing Moderesmålets sång (“The Song of the Mother Tongue”) is not enough.
Last year in Kokkola, a speech was given by Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.
“In his speech he defended the bilingual status of Finland in a surprisingly straightforward way.”
This year’s main event is in Porvoo. “Porvoo is experiencing a strong and constant influx of inhabitants. The purpose of the event is to make clear to the newcomers that Porvoo’s Swedish-language culture has traditions and is alive. A band called Fork will be entertaining the youth.”
A new law concerning the Folktinget exists now to define its status.
“Its function is to protect the Swedish language and to look after the Swedish-speaking population.”
A new language law also came into effect at the beginning of this year, mainly as a result of the Folktinget’s efforts. “The new law does not really change much, but if an old law has not been enforced for a long time, it is a good idea to rewrite it.”
According to the old law , for example, all state officials were required to have a command of Swedish - a regulation which was generally ignored.
“The new law came at an appropriate time. It is taken seriously both by the central government and the municipalities. Now only those state officials working in bilingual areas are required to be able to communicate in Swedish.”
This also concerns the legal protection of individuals.
“Previously, if a Swedish-speaking Finn got into trouble with the police in Kittilä [in Finnish Lapland], they could demand the right to speak Swedish, but the Kittilä police most likely could not speak Swedish. A citizen of Sweden, on the other hand, could demand an interpreter, which they are entitled to under an international agreement.”
The new law will not change the situation overnight, of course. Helsinki’s social services, for example, have told Swedish-speaking customers in a letter - written in Finnish - that services will be limited and will only be available in Finnish.
“This happened to a certain 95-year-old lady, who is in need of these services.”
”Leading officials working for both the government and the local authorities have nevertheless taken a positive approach to the new law,” Erik Mickwitz emphasises.
But if one reads letters to the editor of various newspapers, one can see that somewhere in this country there are people with a profound hatred of the Swedish language, which the Folktinget is powerless to do anything about.
”I also do not believe that discussion is necessary with these individuals. The Finnish Alliance has unfortunately chosen the path of open conflict. They support these texts, which also exist on the Internet.”
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 6.11.2004
TIMO HÄMÄLÄINEN / Helsingin Sanomat
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| 9.11.2004 - THIS WEEK |
 Erik Mickwitz: Language law came at convenient time |
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