Numbers in Northern Sami
davvisámegiella, sámegiella
Numbers in Northern Sami follow a primarily vigesimal (base-20) system with some decimal influences. Spoken by about 20,000 people in Lapland, across Finland, Sweden, and Norway, this language's counting system is unique within the Uralic family. It employs specific words for 1 to 10, then combines these to form higher numbers, especially using the word 'logi' for ten and its multiples. Compound numbers like 46 (njealljenuppelohkái) and 78 (čiežalogi) showcase its pattern of combining base units. The system reflects both historical influences and the practical needs of the Sami people, making the numbers in Northern Sami both fascinating and complex.
Number system
Northern Sami counting primarily relies on a vigesimal system, where 20 acts as a key multiplier. Numbers 1-10 are unique words: okta (1), guokte (2), golbma (3), njeallje (4), vihtta (5), guhtta (6), čieža (7), gávcci (8), ovcci (9), and logi (10). Numbers 11-19 are formed by adding the suffix 'nuppelohkái' to the base digit, e.g., oktanuppelohkái (11), guoktenuppelohkái (12). Tens are formed by combining the digit with 'logi' (10), e.g., guoktelogi (20), golbmalogi (30), njealljelogi (40). Compound numbers like 22 (guoktelogiguokte) are created by concatenating the ten and unit without space. Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'čuođi' (100), e.g., guoktečuođi (200). Thousands and millions follow similar patterns, with the multiplier directly before 'duhat' (1000) or 'miljon' (million). For example, 1,789 is duhatčiežačuođigávccilogiovcci, combining 1,000 + 700 + 80 + 9.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Counting from 1 to 10
Numbers 1-10 are unique words: okta (1), guokte (2), golbma (3), njeallje (4), vihtta (5), guhtta (6), čieža (7), gávcci (8), ovcci (9), logi (10). For example, 3 is golbma, and 7 is čieža.
Forming numbers 11-19
Numbers 11-19 are formed by adding 'nuppelohkái' to the base digit: oktanuppelohkái (11), guoktenuppelohkái (12), etc. For example, 14 is njealljenuppelohkái.
Forming tens
Tens are formed by combining the digit with 'logi' (10), e.g., guoktelogi (20), golbmalogi (30). For example, 50 is vihttalogi, and 70 is čiežalogi.
Constructing compound numbers
Numbers like 22 are formed by juxtaposing the ten and units: guoktelogiguokte (22), njealljelogiguhtta (46). No space is used between parts.
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'čuođi' (100): guoktečuođi (200), golbmačuođi (300). One hundred is čuođi.
Thousands
Thousands are formed by placing the multiplier before 'duhat' (1000): duhat (1,000), guokteduhat (2,000). For example, 1,789 is duhatčiežačuođigávccilogiovcci.
Millions
Millions are formed similarly, with the multiplier before 'miljon': miljon (1 million), guoktemiljovnna (2 million). Compound numbers like 5,001,230 are formed by juxtaposition without spaces.
Unique features
The use of 'nuppelohkái' suffix for 11-19, e.g., ovccinuppelohkái (19), is unique among Uralic languages.
Unlike many languages, the tens are formed by combining the digit with 'logi' (10), e.g., čiežalogi (70), which is a clear vigesimal pattern.
The formation of large numbers involves concatenating the multiplier and the base units directly, such as miljončiežaduhatvihtta for 1,007,005.
The word 'logi' for ten is used as a building block for all multiples of 10, reflecting a consistent vigesimal pattern.
The word for 'one' is 'okta,' borrowed from older Uralic roots, showing historical linguistic influences.
Cultural context
Northern Sami is spoken by approximately 20,000 people across Lapland, which spans northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway. The Sami culture is rich in reindeer herding, fishing, and traditional crafts. Numbers are integral in their daily life, especially in trade, storytelling, and rituals. Certain numbers, like 7 (čieža), are considered culturally significant, while others may be avoided in superstitions. The language's numerical system reflects their adaptation to the Arctic environment and their historical trade routes, with large numbers used in land and resource management. Despite modernization, traditional counting remains vital in cultural practices and oral traditions.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 78 is čiežalogi, combining 70 (čieža) and 8 (gávcci), illustrating the vigesimal pattern.
Fact 2: Unlike decimal systems like English, Northern Sami's use of 'logi' for 10 and its multiples shows a strong vigesimal influence, similar to French 'quatre-vingt'.
Fact 3: The formation of 1,789 as duhatčiežačuođigávccilogiovcci demonstrates how large numbers are built by concatenation of smaller units.
Fact 4: The Sami people's traditional reliance on reindeer herding influences their number system, especially in counting herds and resources.
Fact 5: The word 'miljon' for one million shows borrowing from international terminology, adapted into their counting system.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Northern Sami?
1 - okta, 2 - guokte, 3 - golbma, 4 - njeallje, 5 - vihtta, 6 - guhtta, 7 - čieža, 8 - gávcci, 9 - ovcci, 10 - logi.
What number base does Northern Sami use?
It primarily uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by the formation of 20 (guoktelogi), 40 (njealljelogi), and 80 (gávccilogi). The pattern of combining digits with 'logi' and forming large numbers by concatenation supports this.
How do you say 42 in Northern Sami?
42 is njealljelogiguhtta: 40 (njealljelogi) plus 2 (guokte). The pattern is to combine the tens with the units directly, e.g., njealljelogiguhtta.
How do you say 100 in Northern Sami?
The word for 100 is čuođi. Larger hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'čuođi', e.g., guoktečuođi (200).
How many people speak Northern Sami?
Approximately 20,000 people speak Northern Sami, mainly in Lapland regions of Finland, Sweden, and Norway.
Is Northern Sami related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Uralic language family, within the Finno-Ugric branch, related to Finnish, Estonian, and Hungarian.
What makes Northern Sami counting unique?
Its use of vigesimal patterns, especially the suffix 'nuppelohkái' for 11-19, and the concatenation method for large numbers, set it apart from many other languages.
Sources
- Sámi numerals generator