After lunch and some chores around the house, Uzair and I went to Telakka to do some work. I started reading the book Liina gave me: "Speech Culture in Finland," by Richard Wilkins and Pekka Isotalus. I learned three phrases that all Finns know: Suomalainen vaikenee kahdella kielellä (Finns keep silent in two languages), vaikeneminen kultaa, puhuminen hopeaa (silence is golden, speaking is silver), and suomalainen mies ei puhu eikä pussaa (the Finnish man does not speak nor does he kiss). These reveal a stereotype that Finns are "silent, slow, and reserved" in oral communication. Chapter one goes on to talk about the origin of this construct (history of independence and nationalization from the 1900s). "The historical importance of this different speech culture also explains why the Finns still today willingly or unintentionally emphasize their unique or peculiar communication culture."
Wilkins and Isotalus illustrate the earlier depictions of Finnish speech culture:
"This mythic and heroic Finn was a person of noble character, born into the peasantry, devout, hardworking, with an unwavring ability to overcome the most difficult obstacles."
"The little use of modifiers tends to make Finns sound very direct, and too much directness can sound impolite to the native English speaker."
"The Finnish speech culture is one that does not stress closeness and intimateness in interaction through over linguistic means."
Expressiveness was not encouraged, for it could be irritating or signal unreliability or unimportant discussion.
Oral communication is changing, with Finland's entry into the European Union in 1995 and more communication and trade with the rest of the world.
Until I see that change, I will enjoy the sometimes awkward conversations with Finns, and the quiet, still streets of Tampere.
(Waiting for the bus...)
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