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Skolt Sámi is an Eastern Sámi language spoken in Russia, Finland, and Norway. Most of the speakers reside in Sevettijärvi and Nellim in Finland, but there are around 20 known speakers in Russia as well. In the aftermath of World War II, many Skolt Saami speakers were relocated to villages in the Inari municipality of Finland from their former territory in Petsamo, since it was being ceded to Russia. Now, Skolt Saami is recognized with official status in the Inari municipality, and it is taught in some schools. However, few children study it or speak it as a native language. There was also a Finnish magazine, Sää´mođđâz, printed in the language, but it was terminated in 1986. In Finland, few children speak Skolt Saami on a daily basis and, in Russia, it is only spoken by around 20 people, all of which are over 40 years old.

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Also known as: Skolt Saami, Eastern Saami, Kola Saami, Koltta, Kолтта-Cаамский язык, SääʹMǩiõll

Language Family: Eastern Sámi

Written Alphabet: Latin Orthography

Category: Critically Endangered

Speakers: Around 300

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SKOLT SÁMI

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