 Poster: A snowHead
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Going self catering there, and because of medical issues (and party picky eaters) would like to be sure of what I'm buying. I'm told it's a difficult language and, having bought a dictionary/phrase book, have to agree.
If anyone could help me with some words to look out for in the supermarkets I would be most grateful.
Please PM me if you can help.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You don't have anything to worry about. They speak very good English in the Nordic countries.
If you have an Android phone, I can recommend the Google Translate app. I used it when we were vacationing in Japan - snap a picture and the app translates the text in the picture.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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In my experience of working out there you'll have no problem finding people who speak English. 'Cause nobody anywhere else understands a word of Finnish......
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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 Forget the dictionary. Well, don't expect to see any words from it written anywhere. It's a structural issue, but it makes traditional dictionaries hard to use.
As they say, the locals would be insulted if you did not assume they speak perfect English. You are unlikely to go anywhere that's not universally true in Finland. Often you'll find US accents.
It's easier than Japan because you can at least parse the words and remember their shapes easily. Be aware that Swedish is commonly used there too, and you will often find the Swedish words easier to guess.
The only real word you need is "kiitos". You stretch out the "ii" sound a bit, then they'll think you're a local. Bear is "olut", so using those two in a sensible order will broadly do everything you need. Pronunciation is trivial: as it's written. Look out for "y" which sounds like the "oo" in "shoot".
Food is not hugely adventurous, but look out for "salmon" (pronounced the way it's spelt: sal-mon with the emphasis on the first bit). That's salmon. The gherkins are good. Everything else is obvious, they don't really do weird stuff. Pickled herrings for breakfast, but they're obvious and easily avoided for the squeamish. Reindeer meat is not common but it's just grainy red meat.
Karelian pies (something like karjalanpiirakat) are the best thing ever if you can find them.
If you really can't work stuff out in supermarkets then an android bar code scanner app would look up any product code for you and likely returns results in english.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Being a Finn I can agree with the others. You should have no problem. Unless you have very special incredients you want to avoid and there's no one to help you when shopping. Feel free to pm me.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Respectfully, the difference between speaking English, and speaking English when someone else's life (or significant discomfort and worry) could depend on your accuracy and fluency is, sadly, rather large and not often appreciated until you or a loved one are in a positon to understand why it does. It's bad enough in the UK! We have to take risks if we're to go anywhere - but hence why I asked, in the hope that they can be minimised and that shopping's a little easier. Otherwise my double ski carriage weight allowance will become a food and drink allowance 
Perhaps it depends on where you go? We are off to a larger resort this time, but I went a few years ago way up into the Arctic Circle and no-one ('resort' UK people or locals) could tell me even how to tell fizzy/sparkling water from still or artificially flavoured, never mind cow milk (and which type) from other sources. And as for reindeer from other ham or meats..? Actually, that, and bear meat, are the few that I can work out! (and beer...)
Eating out in a hotel restaurant was way too difficult, despite again assurances that English was spoken, and that plain and basic food could be obtained - but they couldn't get what we wanted and why.
I also needed to try to buy some medicine from the supermarket pharmacy, just a basic anti-acid which is easily available over the counter in the UK, and couldn't get anywhere with any asssitant - so wasn't overall terribly impressed by reassurances on that trip that it was all easy.
With medical issues, I and others need to be sure of what's in ingredients, even in pretty plain and simple things like bread and milk (they add Vit D to various things there, for a start, which suprisingly could be a problem). In the usual European resports there's usually an English translation on ingredients, or I can get by with French, Italian or German: but not in Lapland (they favour other languages for, I suppose, obvious reasons).
It seemed a good idea to book to go there at the time...
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@lmu2002, Thank you. Yes, there are special ingredient problems. I will PM you.
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I'm sure that we'll have a basic android phone with us, and a Kindle, so that's a very good idea, as long as there's free wi-fi available somewhere (at worst, can we go to supermarket, photo items and go back to accommodation?) Don't have non-wifi internet access on the mobile network, but hopefully we'll work out something. Thanks. I'll give that a go - if it's compatible with device and version.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Grizzler, you can download google translate dictionaries to the phone and use them offline if you don't have a connection, so just do it before you go.
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@Grizzler, the Google translate app works offline once you've downloaded the language pack (done in the app.)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| philwig wrote: |
| Bear is "olut" |
I thought that it was something highly complicated and long that began with a K? And the bear beer (and very nice it is, too) is Kahroo (or something similar)... See, easily confused
@Scarlet, @HutToHut, Thanks. I'll give that a go asap. Never even thought of the idea before. Modern technology can be helpful on occasions (fingers crossed).
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Quote: |
I can recommend the Google Translate app.
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Or Linguee which puts language into context.
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| Grizzler wrote: |
| philwig wrote: |
| Bear is "olut" |
I thought that it was something highly complicated and long that began with a K? And the bear beer (and very nice it is, too) is Kahroo (or something similar)... See, easily confused
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Ah hah the Canadian ski brand that used to make Line skis, back when they weren't made of matchsticks and candy floss was Karhu - explains the bear logo. (or were they part of a wider Finnish co?)
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You know it makes sense.
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The Finns speak better English than most Brits.
One of the friendliest people on Earth (except when the odd lunatic goes on a shooting spree).
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Dunno what the dietary requirement is but Finland is pretty excellent at catering for coeliacs, as is most of Scandinavia.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Grizzler wrote: |
I'm sure that we'll have a basic android phone with us, and a Kindle, so that's a very good idea, as long as there's free wi-fi available somewhere (at worst, can we go to supermarket, photo items and go back to accommodation?) Don't have non-wifi internet access on the mobile network, but hopefully we'll work out something. Thanks. I'll give that a go - if it's compatible with device and version. |
Three does inclusive data Roaming in Finland on their Feel At Home thingy. For the peace of mind you're seem to be after, a PAYG SIM and credit for the cost of an olut or two would give you Internet out and about for your entire trip.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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