Speaking my Language, Living my Life: How ethnic contexts impact on language acquisition and use, identity formation and psychosocial well-being for Sámi and Kven children and adolescents

The overall goal of Speaking my Language, Living my Life is to gain knowledge about ethnic language use, ethnic identity formation and psychosocial well-being in Sámi and Kven children and adolescents. There is a huge knowledge gap concerning the psychosocial well-being and mental health of Sámi children and adolescents, and even less is known about their Kven counterparts. Ethnic language proficiency is shown to strengthen ethnic identity and seems to foster psychosocial well-being. However, there is limited research on how the endangered Indigenous Sámi languages and the national ethnic minority language Kven are acquired and used among children in Norway, as well as on how language use, traditional activities, and different ethnic contexts influence ethnic identity formation. The project employs a mixed-methods approach to gain knowledge about:

1) how ethnic context (linguistically, socially and culturally) impacts on language acquisition and language use, ethnic identity formation, and psychosocial well-being in Sámi and Kven children and adolescents, and
2) the interplay between ethnic language use, ethnic identity, and psychosocial well-being of Sámi and Kven children and adolescents.

Enculturation is used as theoretical approach, emphasizing the need to consider different ethnic contexts to understand the development of Sámi and Kven children and adolescents. Data will be collected through surveys and qualitative interviews, targeting children aged 5, 12, and 17 from the counties of Finnmark, Troms, and Nordland—recognized as the traditional areas for both Sámi and Kven culture—as well as Trøndelag and Innlandet, which are part of the traditional Sámi cultural regions in Norway. Additionally, data will be gathered from Oslo, the capital of Norway. A reference group of Sámi and Kven individuals and stakeholders will be established to partnership and oversee the entire project and provide guidance throughout the various stages of the research process.

This project will provide novel insights into bilingualism, heritage language use and inform on the language revitalization process. It also aims to enhance the limited knowledge base on the mental health of Sámi and Kven children and adolescents. By focusing on ethnic contexts, the study provides valuable knowledge applicable to other Indigenous and minority groups. Societally, the knowledge gained will be beneficial for shaping language policy, education, and the development of more culturally sensitive health services, as well as informing prevention strategies. The findings will guide efforts to promote language use and strengthen ethnic identity, which are vital for cultural preservation and reconciliation. Through stakeholder engagement and dissemination of findings via multiple channels, the project will facilitate knowledge exchange and empower Indigenous and minority communities, thereby achieving its potential impacts in both the short and long term.

Funding: Research Council of Norway

Grant amount: 12MNOK