Northern Karelian dialect — Safekipedia Adventurer

Northern Karelian

Northern Karelian is one of the two dialects of Karelian Proper. It is mainly spoken in White Karelia, and also in a few villages like Hietajärvi, Kuivajärvi and Rimpi in the Kainuu region of Finland. People who speak the Finnish language usually find it easy to understand Northern Karelian.

Northern Karelian has some special sounds that make it different from other Karelian dialects. It includes sounds like p, t, k, s, and š. The letter š makes the “sh” sound, like in the word “see.” This sound is used more in Northern Karelian than in other Karelian dialects. These special sounds help make Northern Karelian unique compared to South Karelian.

Location

Dialects of the Karelian language according to Vepkar

Northern Karelian is spoken in the northernmost parts of the Republic of Karelia, in an area called White Karelia. It is also the traditional language in the villages of Hietajärvi, Kuivajärvi, and Rimpi in the Kainuu region of Finland. The language is used in several parishes including Kiestinki, Kontokki, Paanajärvi, Suomussalmi, Uhtua, and Vuokkiniemi.

Examples

The following example is from Petroskoi in 1995:

Southern, Northern and Livvi dialects compared:

North Karelian	Finnish	English
Ennein vanhah karjalaiset varattih riähkyä.	Ennen vanhaan karjalaiset varoivat tekemästä syntiä.	In the old days, Karelians were careful not to sin.

Livvi	Southern	Northern	English
pakkaskuu	pakkaiskuu	pakkaiskuu	January
tuhukuu	tuuččakuu	tuiskukuu	February
kevätkuu	kevätkuu	kevätkuu	March
sulakuu	sulakuu	šulakuu	April