How Finnish Media Can Be Used to Learn Finnish

 

Last year, I wrote a post about why I speak Finnish.  Here is the link: Puhutko Suomea? Now I am being asked by other English speakers how they can learn to speak Finnish. When you're learning a new language it's important to submerse yourself into the new language completely. It's not enough to practice. You need to be around it 24/7.

It took me almost 10+ years to learn Finnish because I was not dedicated to it. When I was 16, I decided that I wanted to learn Finnish. Like all teenagers, I learned the swears first. That's all I knew for years. Then when I was in my 20s I found Finnish language books at Half-Price Books. I bought these books hoping I would be able to learn. The problem is that these books were written by people who are not native Finns. Another issue is that these books were written in the '60s or `70s. No one speaks that formally anymore. I only know this because my Finnish friends would correct me. They would lovingly tease me and say I sound like their grandmother. People don't say "tervetuola" anymore. They say, "Moi" or "Terve."

First, download Duolingo on your phone. Duolingo does not show its users how  grammar works. What Duolingo will help you with, is pronunciation and vocabulary. If you're smart enough you'll start to understand the grammar. Second, buy an English-Finnish dictionary. 

Here's my tiny dictionary. 

Like English, Finnish has personal pronouns. These pronouns are: 

Minä: I

Sinä: You 

She/He: Hän for both sexes. 

He: They 

Me: We 

Do not associate the English "me" with the Finnish "me". In English, "me" refers to a singular person. But in Finnish, "me" refers to a group. "He" in Finnish is also a group pronoun. It does not have the same meaning as in English. If you speak fluent Spanish you already have a leg up compared to everyone else. Finnish vowels are pronounced the same as in Spanish. Finns also roll their r's.

All that matters is that you are listening to Finnish or learning about Finnish culture. Research and see if Finns have the same interest as you. If you're into cars, then rally racing is something you should check out. Do you have a niche hobby or interest? Look it up. 

As you all know, I listen to music in Finnish. I'm also a huge nerd who loves anime, comics, fantasy, folktales/fairytales, horror, manga, mythology, rpg games, and science-fiction. I watch Finnish shows and movies. Tubi is great because it's a free app. Tubi also has a great collection of foreign movies. If you don't feel comfortable watching something new in Finnish, you can always watch something you've seen before in Finnish. I do this quite a lot with comfort media. Two months ago I watched "The Little Mermaid" in Finnish. It's a movie I've watched a million times since I was a child. But, it was the first time watching it in Finnish. I also put the subtitles in Finnish so I could read it and follow along. 

Below is a list I have made of Finnish media for Non-Native Finnish speakers. 

Books: 

• Teach Yourself Finnish by Terttu Leney (While it's an old book it does help you understand grammar.) 
• Terttu Leney has a new book called Complete Finnish 
• Finnish Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook by Dr. Riitta-Liisa Valijärvi.
• First Finnish Reader for Beginners: Bilingual Speakers of English 
• Read Finnish Children's books. 
• Read Finnish comic books: JP Ahone's website

This is the book I own. 

Music:

Music or bands with Finnish lyrics.  

Metal: 

• Aihos 
• Ajattara 
• Ilk-Turso
• Havukruunu
• Kalmankantaja 
• Kaunis Kuolematon 
• Kuolemaanlaasko
• Oranzzi Pazuzu 
• Rippikoulu 
• Verikalpa 

Punk: 

• Lapin Helvetti 
• Kaaos
• Klamydia 
• Kohti Tuhoa 
• Kovaa Rasvaa
• KTMK
• Nykkitappelu
• Psykoabalyysi
• Rakkus
• Rattus 
• Riistetyt 
• Rytmihäirio
• Tervett Kädet 

Rock/Misc. 

• Diablo 
• Harmaja
• Kauan 
• Mokoma
• Mustan Kuu Lapset 
• Stam1na 

Radio/Youtube Channels: 

• YLE UUtiset selkosuomeksi ( Easy Listening Finnish radio news) 
• YLE also has podcasts you can listen to. 
• Katchats Finnish

Television: 

This is just my personal taste. I will update this list as I watch more stuff. 

• Bad Apples (Finnish drama) 
• Bordertown (Crime series on Netflix) 
• Dead Wind (Crime series on Netflix) 
• Kummeli (Comedy)
• Moomins (Watch the Finnish version, not the English version.) 
• Studio Julmahuvi (Comedy)

Movies: 

• Bayonet (Drama) 
• Heavy Trip (Comedy) 
• Lake Bodom (Cheesy Horror) 
• Rare Exports (Comedy/Horror) 
• Tom of Finland (Documentary) 
• Vihanpidot/Insanity (Horror) 
• The White Reindeer (Early Finnish Cinema/Horror)
• The Witch (Early Finnish Cinema/Horror) 

I watch this movie every Christmas and I'm Pagan. So that should tell you everything you need to know. 

Sports: 

I love hockey. The NHL has several Finnish players. Because of this I ended up watching the International Federation of Hockey games. The U.S and Canada doesn't have shit on Finland. That's all I can say. They always win medals. 

• Finnish Hockey Team
  
• International Ice Hockey Federation
  

Instagram: 

People who post about Finnish culture or life. 

• Dave.Cad  
• Joshofwestern 
• Very Finnish Problems 

Kiitos to my Suomalainen ystävä who goes by "Slimeweaver" on Instagram for helping me with the television portion.