The changes of the Northern Saami in the Ohcejohka region from the 1950s to the 2020s

The North Saami language has undergone changes in recent decades that reflect broader social developments in the Ohcejohka region. This dissertation shows that education and language policy have influenced not only the status of Saami language but also its structures and everyday use.

The study examines variation and change in spoken North Saami and survey data, linking linguistic patterns to the historical experiences of the Saami community. The findings demonstrate that the language responds sensitively to societal shifts: some features have strengthened through revitalization efforts, while others weakened during the period of language shift.

Earlier research has shown that developments beginning in the mid-20th century first undermined the position of Saami, but since the 1990s the language vitality has begun to recover. This recovery is visible even in fine-grained linguistic changes. The dissertation confirms that education has played a decisive role: while schools once accelerated language shift, they now function as a cornerstone of Saami language maintenance.

The study offers a new perspective on how societal change is reflected in linguistic structures and how revitalization efforts appear in the speech of younger generations. The results are relevant for language policy, education, and broader discussions on the future vitality of Indigenous languages.