Alternate Names: “Lapp” (pej.), “Northern Lappish” (pej.), Northern Saami, “Norwegian Lapp” (pej.), Saami, Same, Sámegiella, Samic
Dialects: Ruija, Sea Lappish, Torne. Two-thirds of all Saami speak Ruija dialect.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 15,000 in Norway (Krauss 1992). Population total all countries: 20,700. Ethnic population: 30,000 (1995 M. Krauss). 30,000–40,000.
Language Use: In central Finnmark Province, where North Saami has an official status, many children learn the language and are likely to continue to use it in adulthood (Salminen 2007). All ages. Also use Norwegian [nor].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Taught in primary schools. New media. Bible: 1895.
Writing System: Cyrillic, Latin
Nation of Origin: Norway
Other Comments: Formerly called “Finns” which they consider derogatory.