“I sámifize it...”: Preschool in the Centre of South Sámi Language and Culture Learning in Norway.

The study investigates how kindergarten teachers describe the learning environment for the Southern Sámi language in their kindergarten. The Southern Sámi people are often described as a minority within a minority. It is estimated that there are around 300 speakers of the Southern Sámi language in Norway, which makes the language seriously endangered.

The results show that kindergartens in a Southern Sámi context are seen as an important arena for inclusive language and cultural preservation, with a clear social responsibility. Although the teachers had limited knowledge of the Southern Sámi language, they had found ways to deal with the challenges. The children were seen as important mediators for the next generation, and the adults played an important role as linguistic and cultural mediators. The teachers were aware of the need to integrate different language learning opportunities into everyday activities. Therefore, they had found creative ways to include language and culture in educational activities, for example by building a lavvu, despite the challenges of finding societal arenas where the language could be practiced.

The study was conducted in a Southern Sámi kindergarten in Norway. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three of the kindergarten teachers during the autumn of 2019. The questions dealt with teachers' practice related to language instruction, with a focus on: strategies used in language learning, both oral, visual and non-verbal, challenges in Southern Sámi language learning and priorities in language learning. The data material was analysed using content analysis.

Harju-Luukkainen, H., Berg, K. & Kolberg, A. (2021). "“I sámifize it...”: Preschool in the Centre of South Sámi Language and Culture Learning in Norway". International Research in Early Childhood Education, 11(2).