Finland-Swedes

Finland-Swedes are a Swedish-speaking ethnic minority of Finland. Their language, Finland-Swedish, differs somewhat, but not radically, from the language spoken in Sweden. While many ethnic Finns speak Swedish as a second language, only those who have Swedish as their first language are considered to be Finland-Swedes.

Related Topics:
Swedish - Finland - Finland-Swedish - Sweden - Finns - Second language - First language

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Swedish is the mother tongue for about 265,000 persons in Mainland Finland and 25,000 on Åland, or 5.55% of the total population according to official statistics for 2003 1. The proportion has been steadily diminishing since the 18th century when approximately 15% of the population had Swedish as the mother tongue (estimation for 1815 2).

Related Topics:
Mainland Finland - 18th century - 1815

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