Suomi information for immigrants

[Cathy Duncan]

I'm willing to move to Finland but I have heard that after one year of living in Finland, the citizens of this country start speaking with you in Finnish and if you cannot answer them in their own language, it's a matter of embarrassment for you. It that true? I am just scared of it.

[kalmisto]

I'm willing to move to Finland but I have heard that after one year of living in Finland, the citizens of this country start speaking with you in Finnish and if you cannot answer them in their own language, it's a matter of embarrassment for you. It that true? I am just scared of it.

No, it is not true. The fact is that if you speak understandable but accented or broken Finnish to a Finn,the Finn is very likely to switch into English. All expats living in Finland are not so happy about this because the Finns´unwillingness to speak Finnish to foreigners makes it difficult for expats to practice their Finnish skills.

[Cathy Duncan]

I'm willing to move to Finland but I have heard that after one year of living in Finland, the citizens of this country start speaking with you in Finnish and if you cannot answer them in their own language, it's a matter of embarrassment for you. It that true? I am just scared of it.

No, it is not true. The fact is that if you speak understandable but accented or broken Finnish to a Finn,the Finn is very likely to switch into English. All expats living in Finland are not so happy about this because the Finns´unwillingness to speak Finnish to foreigners makes it difficult for expats to practice their Finnish skills.

Thanks for clearing my doubts dude. I was really in a state of flux and was unable to make a decision.

[Pursuivant]

I have heard that after one year of living in Finland, the citizens of this country start speaking with you

In some parts of the country it might take longer, if ever.

[Cathy Duncan]

I have heard that after one year of living in Finland, the citizens of this country start speaking with you

In some parts of the country it might take longer, if ever.

Ahan! What actually is the reason for that in your opinion?

[kalmisto]

Cathy Duncan
http://www.axis-of-aevil.net/archives/2 ... iisik.html

[Pursuivant]

What actually is the reason for that in your opinion?

They don't. Speak that is.

[Cathy Duncan]

What actually is the reason for that in your opinion?

They don't. Speak that is.

Thanks to you and Kalmisto. I really appreciate your efforts and would love to learn finnish. I know few words like soco nimi etc in Finnish. It sounds pretty good.

[jmatthan]

Hi,

Our best-seller book published in 1994 "Handbook For Survival in Finland" is available for download at:

http://www.lulu.com/product/file-download/handbook-for-survival-in-finland/14263654?productTrackingContext=author_spotlight_91807565_

Although old, it has much which is still relevant today. Especially important are the chapters that Finnish is not a difficult language and why not to die in Finland!

The newer version is under preparation and should be released in 2012.

Regards

Annikki and Jacob

[Cathy Duncan]

Hi,

Our best-seller book published in 1994 "Handbook For Survival in Finland" is available for download at:

http://www.lulu.com/product/file-downlo ... _91807565_

Although old, it has much which is still relevant today. Especially important are the chapters that Finnish is not a difficult language and why not to die in Finland!

The newer version is under preparation and should be released in 2012.

Regards

Annikki and Jacob

Thank you so much for this great gift (I must say). I'd surely download and give it a read to clear my ideas and concepts.

[jmatthan]

Would you be surprised to know that your present vocabulary of Finnish is well over 5000 words!

In our book "Handbook For Survival in Finland", we use the BBC Workbook on the Finnish Langauge (which existed in 1992) to show you how this is a reality.

And linguists say that with a 5000 word strength you are well on the way to speaking a language!

But do not reveal this secret to a Finn!!!

Jacob

[sbatrawi19]

hi my name is Sami am Palestinian , my wife is Lithuanian and we are married 24 years but i didnt got the EU passport , can i move to Finland and live even if my wife will not move with me ? what i need to do if i want to move?

[Dolly]

Hi,

Our best-seller book published in 1994 "Handbook For Survival in Finland" is available for download at:

http://www.lulu.com/product/file-downlo ... _91807565_

Although old, it has much which is still relevant today. Especially important are the chapters that Finnish is not a difficult language and why not to die in Finland!

The newer version is under preparation and should be released in 2012.

Regards

Annikki and Jacob

Thanks for the link! Seems to be very interesting. Nice

[interleukin]

Ah, freshfood24, that lovely piece of !"#¤% text made my day! Thanks!

[ritan7471]

It depends who you talk to. My inlaws speak only Finnish with me but they don't speak English. Apparently I don't have a typical American accent, so most Finnish people don't immediately start speaking English with me until I run out of vocabulary and ask.

I've found most people very helpful and no one has refused to speak English with me or acted like I'm a deadbeat for not being fluent in the language.

I've never lived in Finland yet, but am planning to move shortly.