FinnishSwedish

Finnish Swedish, also known as Finland Swedish or finlandssvenska, refers to the Swedish language as used by the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland. It is not a separate language but a regional variety of Swedish that has absorbed influence from Finnish and local contacts while preserving core Swedish grammar and orthography.

Demographically, about 300,000 to 320,000 people in Finland speak Swedish as their first or home language, roughly 5 percent of the national population. The Swedish-speaking population is distributed mainly along the southern and western coast, in the archipelago regions, and in the autonomous Åland Islands, where Swedish is the official language and is used in administration, education, and media.

Official status and institutions, Finnish Swedish is part of the country’s bilingual framework. Finland recognizes both Finnish and Swedish as official languages at the national level, and many municipalities operate as bilingual or Swedish-dominated. The Åland Islands constitute an autonomous region where Swedish is the sole official language. Swedish-language services, education, and media are protected by law and policy.

Linguistic varieties and usage, Finland Swedish includes regional dialects, with coastal areas showing distinct features. The standard written form aligns closely with standard Swedish, while spoken Finnish Swedish may incorporate Finnish loanwords and local pronunciations. The Ålandic variety is particularly prominent and distinct within the broader Finland Swedish umbrella.

Education and culture, Swedish-language schooling is widely available in bilingual regions, and Swedish-language higher education exists at institutions such as Åbo Akademi University in Turku. Media outlets include Swedish-language newspapers and broadcasters like Hufvudstadsbladet and Svenska YLE. The community is culturally active, with literature, organizations, and notable authors, such as Tove Jansson, contributing to a vibrant Finland Swedish cultural sphere.