New initiative explores terms for mother in Finland’s diverse linguistic landscape

A new initiative aims to discover the various terms people use for “mother” in Finland, a word many consider the most beautiful in the Finnish language. For the first time, a comprehensive survey is being conducted to explore how individuals refer to their mothers in different contexts, both at home and among friends. In collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland, the data collected will also be available for researchers studying the Finnish language.

Participants are encouraged to share how they address their mothers, particularly in situations where they seek her attention. Options include terms such as “mum,” “mama,” and various nicknames based on the mother’s first name. Additionally, respondents are asked what word they use when talking about their mothers within their social circles.

To create a map illustrating the terms used by different age groups across Finland, the survey requires participants to provide their postal codes, ages, and genders. This information may reveal generational differences and whether gender influences the terms used.

Professor Hanna Lappalainen, who leads the Finnish language department at the University of Eastern Finland, believes that regional variations still exist, tied to historical dialect differences. She emphasizes the importance of every response, noting that even seemingly ordinary answers can yield significant insights. While the word “mother” has frequently been nominated as the most beautiful Finnish word, Lappalainen posits that its popularity stems from its emotional significance in people’s lives rather than its phonetic qualities.

The results of the data collection will be published after Christmas, building on previous studies that explored how people refer to pronouns and greetings in Finnish.