Pienikielisten

Pienikielisten is a term used in Finnish linguistics to refer to speakers of minority languages within Finland. These languages are distinct from the two official national languages, Finnish and Swedish. Historically, and to some extent currently, these include languages like Karelian, Veps, and Livonian, although the number of speakers for many of these is very small.

The term emphasizes the limited number of speakers of these languages, often contrasted with the much larger populations speaking Finnish or Swedish. This demographic reality has implications for language preservation efforts, policy decisions, and the cultural visibility of these linguistic groups.

While not officially recognized or protected to the same extent as Finnish and Swedish, some of these pienikielisten languages have varying degrees of support through cultural organizations and academic research. The challenges faced by pienikielisten speakers include intergenerational transmission of the language, access to education in their native tongue, and maintaining their linguistic heritage in a predominantly Finnish-speaking environment. The study of pienikielisten languages contributes to understanding linguistic diversity and the sociolinguistic dynamics of Finland.