Definition

Noun 1. A member of an indigenous, traditionally nomadic, people inhabiting northern Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland) and the Kola Peninsula of Russia, historically associated with reindeer herding. 2. The family of Uralic languages spoken by this people.

Usage Notes

• When referring to the people, "Sami" is the contemporary and preferred endonym. The term "Lapp" or "Lapps," while historically used, is now often considered outdated or derogatory by many Sami people and should be used with caution, if at all, primarily in historical contexts.
• As a language name, "Sami" refers to a group of closely related languages, not a single, uniform language. The largest of these is Northern Sami.

Examples

• Noun (People):
  • The Sami have a rich cultural heritage centered around reindeer, duodji (handicraft), and yoik (traditional song).
  • Several Sami representatives attended the conference on indigenous rights.
• Noun (Language):
  • She is studying North Sami at the university.
  • The Sami languages are endangered and face challenges in terms of preservation and transmission.

Advanced Usage

• Sami Parliament (Sámediggi): The representative elected bodies for the Sami people in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
  • The Norwegian Sami Parliament works to promote Sami language and culture.
• Sápmi: The traditional name for the cultural region inhabited by the Sami people.
  • Their ancestral homeland, Sápmi, spans across the northern parts of four countries.

Variants and Related Words

• Sámi: An alternative spelling using an accented 'á', which is common in Sami languages and increasingly in English to reflect the proper pronunciation.
• Saami: Another less common variant spelling in English.
• Lappish: An outdated adjective sometimes used to describe things related to the Sami people or languages (e.g., Lappish culture). The modern adjective is "Sami."
• Sápmi: (Proper Noun) The name of the Sami homeland.

Synonyms

• (For the people, historical/contextual): Lapp, Laplander (Note: See Usage Notes).
• (For the language, historical/contextual): Lappish (Note: See Usage Notes).

Related Cultural Terms

• Duodji: Traditional Sami handicraft.
• Yoik (or Juoiggus): A traditional form of Sami song, often personal or descriptive.
• Reindeer herding: A traditional and culturally vital livelihood for many Sami.
• Gákti: Traditional Sami clothing, often brightly colored and patterned.

Noun

1. the language of nomadic Lapps in northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula
2. a member of an indigenous nomadic people living in northern Scandinavia and herding reindeer