While having a conversation with one of my Russian-speaking colleagues at the University I work for, I came to the realization that learning Finnish was never about the brain benefits for me, but rather for the ability to deeply connect with others (which, actually studies show IS a brain benefit). In learning and teaching Finnish, I have met so many people that I don’t think I would have ever met had I not started on this personal heritage quest in elementary school. And I am not just talking about native Finnish speakers. I have also had the priviledge of meeting numerous Finnish heritage and non-Finnish learners of the language. In this lifestyle choice alone, I have met thousands of people and several of these people I count among my deepest friends and confidants.

To understand how learning Finnish has helped me stay grounded (especially growing up and living in the US), I will highlight a few words and phrases in Finnish below. Let’s just say that you experience some disruption at work and you are layed off. Would you rather think of this as being furloughed or put on vacation? If you are a speaker of Finnish, the word “furlough” or “lay off” is actually lomautus (loma = vacation). Think about how much more positive of a connotation that is than to think of it as simply losing your line of work (and at least in the US, often losing at the same time your income and sometimes even identity). How about the word for “entrepreneur”? That is yrittäjä , which has the literal translation of “tryer” (yrittää = to try). I find great comfort in this word in Finnish. It makes me take a different approach to Luumu knowing that (at least in Finnish), all I have to do is try!

What are some other examples of Finnish words and phrases that keep you grounded? Share them in the comments below!

Hyvää viikonloppua!

Elizabeth “Helvi” Brauer

Founder at Luumu

luumuabc@gmail.com