As this is not my first time in Finland it's a bit hard for me to express my emotions and feelings about this country, because many typical things here have already become usual for me. Moreover, I've read an article that was written by a Finnish woman, who has lived in St. Petersburg for 10 years, and she mentioned that people in St. Petersburg have similar mentality with Finnish people. For example, in Moscow differences between Russians and Finns are felt more stronger. But, there is one thing I'm still shocked by. And it's (drumroll) Finnish language! What is so confusing about it that this language REALLY has nothing in common with any other language in the whole world (I really believe so!)! And every time I go shopping, see this crazy words and try to figure out what they mean, I look like this:
Without any dictionary you have no chance to get even a slight idea why this carton of milk differs from another. I think everyone who has ever seen some Finnish words will support me, but if you don't believe me, I have some proofs for you.
Look, next I will give you some words in English, then show you how they look in other languages (even in Russian, but don't worry. I'll give you a transcription) and after that you'll see the same word in Finnish. Enjoy!
1. Football (Russia 2018 World Cup vibes)
🇩🇪 - Fussball
🇵🇹 - futebol
🇫🇷 - football
🇮🇸 - fótbolti
🇳🇴 - fotball
🇸🇪 - fotball
🇷🇺 - футбол (futbol)
🇫🇮 - JALKAPALLO
2. Zoo
🇩🇪 - Zoo
🇫🇷 - zoo
🇮🇹 - zoo
🇷🇺 - зоопарк (zoo park)
🇫🇮 - ELÄINTARHA
3. Computer
🇩🇪 - Computer
🇵🇹 - computador
🇩🇰 - computer
🇳🇱 - computer
🇷🇺 - компьютер (computer)
🇫🇮 - TIETOKONE
4. November
🇫🇷 - Novembre
🇳🇱 - November
🇸🇪 - November
🇳🇴 - November
🇩🇪 - November
🇷🇺 - ноябрь (noyabr')
🇫🇮 - MARRASKUU
5. Russia (of course, what else)
🇩🇪 - Russland
🇵🇹 - Rússia
🇫🇷 - Russie
🇳🇴 - Russland
🇸🇪 - Ryssland
🇮🇹 - Russia
🇪🇸 - Rusia
🇷🇺 - Россия (Rossiya)
🇫🇮 - VENÄJÄ
6. Finland
🇫🇷 - Finlande
🇳🇱 - Finland
🇮🇹 - Finlandia
🇸🇪 - Finland
🇳🇴 - Finland
🇪🇸 - Finlandia
🇷🇺 - Финляндия (Finlandiya)
🇫🇮 - SUOMI
So, as you see, Finnish language really has nothing in common with other languages and I think it is what makes it so special. That's why just keep calm and learn Finnish, because I think it's cool to speak so unique language! :)