In the latest installment of the “All Points North on Video” series, we delve into the complexities, hurdles, and rewards associated with learning Finnish, a language notorious for its challenges.
Finnish may be famed for its vanishing consonants, an intricate system of 15 grammatical cases, and the particularly daunting rules on vowel harmony. For many newcomers to Finland, these linguistic peculiarities can feel overwhelming. Yet, one must ask: does this fearsome reputation as “impossible to learn” further complicate the experience for learners?
“Believing it’s impossible only hinders progress,” asserts Alicia Iredale, who shares her journey through her Brit in Finland Instagram account. “Mistakes are par for the course; every time I speak Finnish, I stumble. But I’m communicating, I’m making my point, and I’m engaging in conversations. If I’d convinced myself it was insurmountable, I’d never have come this far.”
Similarly, Nerea Bartholomew has found that sharing her language-learning experiences on social media has eased her anxieties. “I strive to be open about my fears and failures,” she says. “Showing vulnerability as I navigate this learning curve fosters a sense of community, reminding me that I’m not alone in this journey.”
Curious viewers can catch the full episode linked at the top of this page or by visiting our YouTube channel.
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This episode of All Points North was produced and presented by Ronan Browne, with sound and video engineering by Tuomas Vauhkonen and Matias Puumala. The production team also included assistants Matthew Schilke and Hannah Anderson.
We invite you to share your thoughts or inquiries by reaching out via WhatsApp at +358 44 421 0909 or via email at yle.news@yle.fi and allpointsnorth@yle.fi.
