Finnish presidential candidates unite to take on British dominance in Finland

In a recent survey In a survey conducted by Oma kieli ry, six Finnish presidential candidates unanimously voiced their opposition to the ongoing trend of increasing use of English in Finnish society. The candidates are Mika Aaltra, sari essay, Pekka Harvist, Jussi Halaaho, harry halkimoand ollie lane, answered a series of questions about the role of English in Finnish society, particularly in education, public and private services. especially, lee anderson, alexander stubbeand Jutta Urpilainen Did not participate in the survey.

The survey reflects similar questions asked in the National Language Barometer in September 2023, asking whether it should be mandatory for all permanent residents of Finland to speak Finnish or Swedish, and whether Finland should be required to speak Finnish or Swedish. We asked candidates for their opinions on whether we should evolve into a country where life in Japan is the norm. feasible. All respondents confirmed the importance of proficiency in Finnish or Swedish for permanent residents and opposed the idea of ​​an English-dominated Finland.

An important point of discussion was the role of English in education. Five of the six candidates expressed concern that the quality of Finnish education could deteriorate if English became more widely used as a medium of instruction. Harry Halkimo did not take a stance on this particular issue.

Candidates were also divided on the use of English in civilian services. “Not everyone speaks English or wants to communicate in English, so it is discriminatory to serve Finnish consumers only in English,” the research statement said. Mr. Halaaho and Mr. Halaaho agreed. In contrast, Halkimo leans in the opposite direction, emphasizing the freedom of entrepreneurs to choose their service language. Mr. Lane and Mr. Harvist chose “undetermined,” with a rationale focused on the rapid integration of skilled foreign workers into the workforce.

The survey also revealed that there are a variety of opinions regarding the delivery of public services in English. Some candidates agreed that the provision of broad English-language public services could hinder integration and be costly, while others encouraged specific services, such as establishing English-language establishments. I thought there was an advantage to doing so.

These responses from presidential candidates are consistent with the sentiment expressed by 82% of Finnish National Language Barometers who consider English-only private services to be discriminatory. Furthermore, 56% believe that widespread English-language public services could slow integration and increase costs.

The candidates’ answers reflect strong and principled support for the status of the national language in Finland. However, their different answers on specific issues highlight different views on the extent to which education, public and private services should be provided in English. Some believe that increased use of English will have a negative impact on social integration and language learning, while others argue for the need for English to address pressing workforce needs.

Oma kieli ry emphasizes that the future of Finnish and Swedish as a common language for all inhabitants of Finland depends on decisions taken in different social sectors. The increasing use of English in education, as the lingua franca of Finnish working life, as an automatic third language in public services, and as the only language in many private services, is the very thing that candidates and the Finnish public oppose. This could lead to a scenario. -Ruled Finland.

HT