In Finland, Hyvää joulua translates to “Happy Christmas”. Or one can say “Hyvää vuodenvaihdetta”!” Happy Season!
I am trying to learn the Finnish language as it is the country of my birth. And I fully understand now why it is deemed to be one of the hardest languages to learn. Far too many tenses and word endings for this old brain to sort out. Luckily, most younger Finns understand and speak English and can assist (with a small, polite smile) when I am massacring the language.
Finnish is an unusual language that doesn’t really relate to any other language. It can also be quite amusing. Take the word Persaukinen. It means to be broke. But literally translates to having your ass wide open. My favorite is how Finns may say someone is pissed off. Olla kuin perseeneen ammuttu karhu or is like a bear shot in the butt. Kuurankukka. The literal meaning is a flower made by the cold but beautifully describes the delicate shapes made on the windows by the ice. Finnish is also a language that has no words for he or she, him or her. One word (and the seemingly endless different tenses!) says it all. “Han”.
But to me, the most interesting word has no direct translation in English. Sisu. A simple word that explains a deep and abiding Finnish cultural attitude of maintained persistence and determination, internal strength and rationality. One does what is needed to be done, with integrity intact.
And despite what some may say, Finns do have a sense of humor. Take the word Juoksentelisinkohan – or “I wonder if I should run around aimlessly”. I may not be able to pronounce it, but I sure can do it!
Learning a new language is not easy at any age, but for an old broad like me? Well, all I can do is persist, persevere and do what needs to be done.
Time to get back to my Christmas book – written for three year old Finns. Translating should keep me up well past my bedtime.
Moika!