Study title

Opinions on the State of the Finnish Language 2013

Dataset ID Number

FSD2979

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2979

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Korhonen, Riitta (Institute for the Languages of Finland. Language Planning)
• Lappalainen, Hanna (University of Helsinki. Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies)

Abstract

The survey charted citizen views on written and spoken Finnish. Themes studied included, for instance, language change, the relationship between written and spoken language, loanwords from English, and language practices in the public sphere.

Opinions on the use of Finnish and its change were charted. The respondents were asked how important they regarded the well-being of the Finnish language, whether they thought everyday language written by people was careless, whether the language used in factual texts (e.g. reports, news) had become too colloquial, and whether they thought that one can use the kind of language one wants to on the Internet (for example, on Facebook). Reasons for being or not being worried of language change were examined (e.g. "English grammar affects Finnish in a negative manner", "Language change does not mean a deterioration of language").

A number of statements relating to spoken language and language used when greeting and addressing people were presented to respondents who were asked to indicate the extent to which they agreed with them (e.g. "Guests of current affairs programmes on TV and radio may use colloquial language", "I find it irritating that telemarketers often address their customers by first name"). Opinions on the use and acceptability of English loanwords in Finnish were surveyed (e.g. "They bother me because I don't always understand what they mean", "They facilitate communication between people who speak different languages"). The respondents were also asked whether some words or phrases annoyed them.

Regarding written language, opinions were charted on the fact that there are multiple acceptable/'correct' forms in written Finnish as well as who or which institution should be responsible for ensuring that factual texts are written according to language guidelines. Finally, the respondents were asked which issues relating to grammar, structure, and style they occasionally had to consider when writing factual texts.

Background variables included the respondent's age group, gender, education, region (NUTS 3) of residence, mother tongue, languages spoken, and writing and reading habits.

Keywords

colloquial language; grammar skills; language skills; languages; languages used at work; literacy; mother tongue; national languages; writing skills

Topic Classification

• Humanities (Fields of Science Classification)
• Language and linguistics (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (A) openly available for all users without registration (CC BY 4.0).

Data Collector

• Institute for the Languages of Finland

Time Period Covered

2013

Collection Dates

2013-05 – 2013-06

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Persons who had the possibility of responding to the survey online

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

The online survey was conducted in the early summer in 2013 and it was advertised on the website of the Institute for the Languages of Finland, email lists, and Facebook. Responses were received from 1,517 people.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

The dataset contains some questions and examples that examine specific grammatical, morphological and syntactical features of written and spoken Finnish (e.g. question 6, response alternatives in question 8). Translating these questions and examples without changing what is being asked is not possible in many cases, which is why the Finnish forms are retained. If possible, additional approximate English translations or explanations are offered.

The data include both qualitative and quantitative variables.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Korhonen, Riitta (Institute for the Languages of Finland) & Lappalainen, Hanna (University of Helsinki): Opinions on the State of the Finnish Language 2013 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2015-01-29). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2979

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Materials

Korhonen, Riitta & Lappalainen, Hanna (2014): Kieli muuttuu - rikkautta vai rappiota? Kielikello 4/2013 [verkkodokumentti]. Helsinki: kotimaisten kielten keskus. Saatavissa: http://www.kielikello.fi/index.php?mid=2&pid=11&aid=2651 [viitattu 25.2.2015].

Korhonen, Riitta & Lappalainen, Hanna (2013): Toisaalta ja toisaalta: verkkokyselyn mukaan suhtautuminen kielenkäyttöön on kaksijakoista [verkkodokumentti]. Helsinki: kotimaisten kielten keskus. Saatavissa: http://www.kotus.fi/kysely [viitattu 25.2.2015].

Related Publications

Korhonen, Riitta & Lappalainen, Hanna (2014). Kieli muuttuu - rikkautta vai rappiota? Kielikello 4/2013 [verkkodokumentti]. Helsinki: kotimaisten kielten keskus. http://www.kielikello.fi/index.php?mid=2&pid=11&aid=2651 [viitattu 25.2.2015].

Korhonen, Riitta & Lappalainen, Hanna (2013): Toisaalta ja toisaalta: verkkokyselyn mukaan suhtautuminen kielenkäyttöön on kaksijakoista [verkkodokumentti]. Helsinki: kotimaisten kielten keskus. Saatavissa: http://www.kotus.fi/kysely [viitattu 25.2.2015].

Isosävi, Johanna & Lappalainen, Hanna 2015: First Names in Starbucks: a Clash of Cultures? Catrin Norrby & Camilla Wide (toim.), Address Practice as Social Action. London: Palgrave Macmillan.