REFERENCES

Kainun kielen grammatikki

Kainun kielen grammatikki is the first comprehensive Kven grammar written by linguist Eira Söderholm. When the book was first published in 2014, it was seen as a groundbreaking work that lay a solid foundation in Kven written language. The book also presents in-depth analysis of Kven grammar, pronunciation, orthography, declension, and conjugation. Each chapter provides dozens of example sentences, demonstrating how the language is used in different settings.

The book was originally written entirely in Kven, but was later translated into Norwegian in 2017. Both versions can be purchased on Kven Institute's website. 

Kainu-Ruija-Kainu Koulusanakirja

Kainu - Ruika - Kainu Koulusamakirja is one of the very few physical dictionaries on the market. It covers roughly 2,000 most used everyday words in Kven. The dictionary is available here.

Suomen murteet II. Murrealueet

Suomen murteet II. Murrealueet, published in 1930 in Helsinki, is the second volume of a total of three volumes that documents the numerous dialects* (murteet) in and outside of Finland. The second volume briefly touches the various dialects (murteet) spoken in Tornedalen, Nordreisa and Porsanger, and is a rare find that seems to be available only in some European used bookstores.

*the word 'murteet' translates to 'dialects'.

Äännehistoriallinen tutkimus Tornion murteesta murteen suhdetta Suomen muihin murteihin silmälläpitäen

Äännehistoriallinen tutkimus Tornion murteesta murteen suhdetta Suomen muihin murteihin silmälläpitäen translates to 'A Study on the Historical Phonetics of the Torne Valley in Relation to Other Finnish Dialects'.

This book is another rare find that documents the phonetic features that are present in the Tornedalian dialect* of Finnish, also known as Meänkieli. Given the proximity of Meänkieli and Kven, this book can be used as a reference to the spoken language of the region in the early 20th century.

*the word 'murteet' translates to 'dialects'.

Fraasikirja Norsk-Kvensk Frasebok for Ungdom

Fraasikirja Norsk-Kvensk Frasebok for Ungdom is the very first phrasebook in Kven, released by Kvääninuoret in 2023. Its purpose is to familiarize young Kvens with everyday language. It covers a wide range of everyday speech, from basic greetings and location names to weather expressions and interpersonal communication.

Meänkielen Kramatiikki

Meänkielen Kramatiikki presents the most fundamental grammar of Meänkieli, with each section being no more than two pages in length. The entire book is written in Meänkieli, and the final pages feature various texts in Meänkieli from different historical periods.

Elämän Alku - Varhaiset Vuodet

Elämän Alku - Varhaiset Vuodet, which translates to 'The Start of Life - Early Years,' is a novel set during the period of World War II in Northern Norway. Written by Alf Nilsen Børsskog, a prolific Kven author, it stands as a cornerstone of Kven literature. For those interested, book can be bought here.

Suomalaiset Jäämeren Rannoilla

Suomalaiset jäämeren rannoilla, is a bilingual publication that details the lectures held during the Kven seminar in Rovaniemi in 1980. The book is one of the earlier works that delved into Kven people's origin, culture, distinct language as well as the need to initiate further investigation into the Norwegianization policy and various aspects of the Kven culture. The printed version can only be purchased on a few antique book stores, but the digital version is available for free on doria.fi. 

Ruijan Suomalaisia

Ruijan suomalaisia is a book by Finnish ethnographer and writer Samuli Paulaharju, who travelled extensively in Northern Norway. First published in 1928, the book has appeared in several revised editions. This 500-page volume is based on interviews with 242 Ruija Finns (Kven people) and explores their traditions, lifestyle, and language. It is richly illustrated with hundreds of photographs taken by Paulaharju. At the end of the book, there are a few pages titled outoja sanoja (unfamiliar words), one of the earliest recorded examples of Kven vocabulary. 

Ruijan Äärimmäisillä Saarilla

Ruijan äärimmäisillä saarilla is another book by Samuli Paulaharju, published in 1935. It focuses on the Kvens living along the northern coast of Northern Norway and provides a detailed account of their lifestyle, oral histories, poems, and stories. The book is also illustrated  with photographs and illustrations drawn by Paulaharju. Additional outoja sanoja (unfamiliar words) can be found at the end of the book, offering further examples of early documented Kven vocabulary.

Language, Land and Song

Language, Land and Song is a fantastic piece of work by editors Peter K. Austin, Harold Koch, Jane Simpson and several dozens contributors. This book details the documentation of Australian Indigenous languages through practical methodologies. What stands out prominently in the book is the encouragement of language revitalization on a non-academic level.

The cases in Australia extend a paradigm for other indigenous and minority languages around the world.

The entire book is available online for free.

Revitalizing Endangered Languages A Practical Guide

Revitalizing Endangered Languages A Practical Guide, published by Cambridge University Press, edited by Justyna Olko and Julia Sallabank, is a comprehensive guide that addresses the whys and hows of language revitalization, with case studies that look into specific languages, how they are being revitalized, ethical aspects to be considered and the obstacles that one may encounter. One of the more interesting aspects the book points out that has not been mentioned elsewhere (at least to our knowledge) is the practicality of revitalizing endangered languages in the context of modern society, where everything seems to be pointing at how practical the "skill" is. Revitalization of an endangered language requires an immense amount of dedication and understanding of the target language, culture and history, which are things that are not recognized for their immediate utility. While the book does not offer a tangible solution to this problem, it does shed light on the value of endangered languages in the modern world.