Phew. Wednesday was quite a day. After school thingymabobs like a small course thingymabob in Iisalmi, I came back to my apartment about 4.30pm. Then I had to start working with a web site for a door manufacturer from northern Finland. I had enough for it when it was 3.30am. My client was nervous and busy because he had to get Swedish versions of the site ready before he travels to Sweden. Translations were made by someone else, but still I had to use a web dictionary to find some translations. Tömma din ytter -och altandörrar!

This reminds me how I have sometimes discussed about Swedish language with foreign people. Many of you don't probably know that in Finnish mandatory school Swedish is one of compulsory subjects. Most of Finns hates it and even many talented people get very lousy grades from it. It's mainly about motivation which leads to practical, historical and ideological reasons behind this allergy of Swedish language.

There is only some random areas in Finland where you actually can hear Finnish people speak Swedish. It's officially Finland's second language but only about 2% people talks it as their mother tongue. Many students feel that they don't need it - unlike English which is very international language and easily heard through entertainment.

I hated Swedish too during my high school. I was pretty bad handling it - mainly because lack of motivation. However, after graduation I was lucky enough to find myself from Swedish speaking countryside doing my civilian service duty for Finnish society. If only knew before I would hate such idea but afterwards it was very good experience. Maybe sometimes only fate can wipe out some prejudicies.

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