Sámi Language Institute releases new makeup vocabulary for Sámi languages

The Sámi Language Institute has recently released new vocabulary sets for various Sámi languages, including a makeup vocabulary in Northern Sámi. Sámi languages possess a particularly rich lexicon related to traditional livelihoods and nature; however, contemporary life also demands new terms, particularly related to technology.

The Institute’s mission is to approve new words for the Sámi languages and standardize written forms. The recent vocabulary releases include terms related to makeup, which have so far been standardized primarily in Northern Sámi, with some terms also available in Lule Sámi and Inari Sámi. Previously, creating makeup tutorial videos in Sámi languages has been challenging due to the lack of specific terms, often resulting in the use of terms from dominant languages like Swedish or English, or improvised translations that vary by speaker.

Examples of the new makeup vocabulary in Northern Sámi include:
– “bavssaroađis” (lipstick)
– “bavssašovon” (lip gloss)
– “geaidnigavja” (powder)
– “vuolildusvuoiddas” (primer)
– “gokčanivdni” (concealer)

Tauno Ljetoff, an advisor for the Institute regarding the lesser-spoken Skolt Sámi, notes that social and health-related vocabulary must first be standardized before progressing to other areas. He suggests that makeup vocabulary could potentially be developed quickly for Skolt Sámi, using Northern Sámi terms as models.

However, the future of the Sámi Language Institute is uncertain. Despite funding from a joint Nordic initiative, the Swedish government’s budget proposal does not allocate financial support for the Institute for the coming year, and Finnish funding for Sámi Parliament initiatives is also set to decrease. Ljetoff emphasizes the importance of the Institute’s work as fundamental for creating learning materials in Sámi languages and fulfilling legal requirements for communication in Skolt Sámi.

This week, the traditional Sámi Language Week is being celebrated in Finland, Norway, and Sweden, aiming to raise national awareness of Sámi languages.