40 words for S*N*O*W ???
Crazy right? Well Finnish is a unique language and Finns like it that way.
This issue was inspired by our recent snow fall here in beautiful southeastern Pennsylvania and I felt moved to create a playful post. One that can easily be transformed into an activity.
If you did not know, I was an AFS exchange student to Finland for a year, after I graduated high school and before college. It was my “between” year that was rich, full and amazing. I am still close with my lovely host families. A gift that keeps on giving. Deeply blessed.
Living in Kuopio, a six hour train ride from Helsinki, I was in the center of the eastern Lake District and about 80 miles from the Russian border. Snow started late October through April so when people around here moan about a long winter, I chuckle. From that rich time I learned life is meant to be lived, outdoors and there is no such thing as a snow day in Finland. Friends and family taught me to ice fish, cross country ski, drink lots of good coffee, travel above the Artic Circle into Lapland, witness herds of reindeer and yes, roll in the snow, after sauna. (a story for another day 🙂
Even the Finnish flag, blue and white, represents the land of lakes and snow.
Anyway, I get very excited when I see snow or anything Finnish related.
What are the broad categories for snow in Finnish…..
· precipitation that is still falling
· mixed with water
· on top of large bodies of water (FACT: Finland has MORE than 60,000 lakes)
· snow on the ground
· after a human or animal intervention (think tracks, holes)
· and verbs for walking on snow.
And I didn’t even mention dialect words. WHEW!
Two links to use for an activity:
http://everything2.com/title/Finnish+words+for+snow
Below, fun slide show with 8 wintry words
http://www.dictionary.com/slideshows/wintry-words#hibernaculum
Use Google Earth and check out Kuopio and share your thoughts on our Activity Pathways facebook page.
Onnellinen Talvi….Happy Winter!
