Turku/Åbo

[åbo]

I'm travelling to Turku soon, but would it be OK if I speak Swedish during my entire stay?

I heard somewhere that some people (finne, perhaps) might get offended if someone speaks Swedish instead of Finnish.

I studied Swedish for many years, but understand little Finnish.

[EP]

I don´t think they would get offended, many just don´t understand (or speak) Swedish too well.

[Hank W.]

Some people get offended if you talk. Even if its nonverbal. Just remember Finns speak Swedish in "moomintal" so don't eat hot potatoes, use words invented after 1809 and keep the pace to coughing like someone with a loose stomach. And they'll switch to English.

[mCowboy]

Only the real Åboriginals speak Swedish, but most others don't unless you venture out to the archipelago... you're better off with English, unless you visit a store with a salesperson who has a Swedish flag on his/her name tag.

[Timbeh]

About 5,2 % of the people in Turku area are swedish-speakers. You might get by with Swedish but English will probably be a more useful language.