Numbers in Skolt Sami
sääˊmǩiõll, Nuõrttsää’m
Numbers in Skolt Sami follow a vigesimal (base-20) system, which is common among many Uralic languages. Spoken by about 400 people in Finland’s Sevettijärvi village, this language features unique counting rules that combine both decimal and vigesimal elements. The system includes specific words for numbers 1 through 10, with complex formations for higher numbers such as 20, 30, and beyond. For example, 6 is 'kutt', and 16 is 'kutmlo', formed by adding the suffix '-mlo' to 6. The language’s counting structure reflects its cultural heritage and historical influences, making it a fascinating subject for linguistic study. Understanding the numbers in Skolt Sami reveals much about its syntax, morphology, and cultural significance.
Number system
Skolt Sami employs a vigesimal system where numbers 1-10 are unique words: 1 is 'õhtt', 2 is 'kue’htt', 3 is 'koumm', 4 is 'nellj', 5 is 'viit', 6 is 'kutt', 7 is 'čiččâm', 8 is 'kääu’c', 9 is 'ååu’c', and 10 is 'lååi'. Numbers 11-19 are formed by suffixing the unit to 'lååi' with '-lo', such as 11 'õtmlo' and 15 'vitmlo'. Tens are formed by suffixing the digit root with '-lo', e.g., 20 'kuâhttlo' and 30 'koummlc', with an alternative form like 'koumlååi' for 30. Compound numbers like 22 are 'kuåtlõkkuå’t' (20 + 2), and 78 is 'čičmlo kuåtlõkčiččâm' (70 + 8). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'čua’tt' (100), e.g., 200 'kue’htt čua’tt'. Thousands are built similarly with 'tohhât', e.g., 1,000 'dohat'.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Numbers 1-10 are unique words
Numbers from zero to ten are specific words: 1 'õhtt', 2 'kue’htt', 3 'koumm', 4 'nellj', 5 'viit', 6 'kutt', 7 'čiččâm', 8 'kääu’c', 9 'ååu’c', 10 'lååi'.
Numbers 11-19 are formed by suffixing to 'lååi'
Numbers 11-19 are created by adding '-lo' to the unit root: 11 'õtmlo', 12 'kuâtmlo', 13 'konmlo', 14 'nenjmlo', 15 'vitmlo', 16 'kutmlo', 17 'činmlo', 18 'käcmlo', 19 'åcmlo'.
Tens are formed by suffixing the digit root with '-lo'
For multiples of 20 and above, the root of the digit is combined with '-lo': 20 'kuâhttlo', 30 'koummlc', 40 'nelljlo', 50 'vittlo', 60 'kuttlo', 70 'čičmlo', 80 'kä’hcclo', 90 'å’hcclo'. An alternative form uses 'lååi' suffix: 30 'koumlååi', 40 'nelljlååi', 50 'vitlååi', etc.
Compound numbers are formed by combining tens and units without space
Numbers like 22 are 'kuåtlõkkuå’t' (20 + 2), and 78 is 'čičmlo kuåtlõkčiččâm' (70 + 8). The pattern involves stating the ten first, then the unit, e.g., 27 'kuåtlõkčiččâm' (20 + 7).
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'čua’tt'
One hundred is 'čua’tt'. For example, 200 is 'kue’htt čua’tt', 300 'koumm čua’tt', 400 'nellj čua’tt'.
Thousands are formed by placing the multiplier before 'tohhât'
One thousand is 'dohat'. For example, 2,000 is 'kue’httohhât', 3,000 'koummtohhât'.
Millions are formed by setting the multiplier before 'miljon'
One million is 'õhtt miljon'. For example, 2 million 'kue’htt miljon', 3 million 'koumm miljon'.
Unique features
Skolt Sami uses a vigesimal system where 20 is a key multiplier, as seen in 'kuâhttlo' (20) and 'koummlc' (30).
Numbers 11-19 are formed by suffixing '-lo' to the unit, e.g., 15 'vitmlo', which is different from many European decimal systems.
Compound numbers like 27 'kuåtlõkčiččâm' combine tens and units without a separator, reflecting a tightly fused morphological structure.
Large numbers like 1,000 'dohat' and 1 million 'õhtt miljon' are built by prefixing the multiplier to the base words, showing a clear agglutinative pattern.
The language incorporates borrowed words for large units, such as 'miljon' for million, indicating contact with other European languages.
Cultural context
Skolt Sami is spoken by about 400 people in Finland’s Sevettijärvi village, part of the Uralic language family. The community maintains a rich cultural heritage centered around reindeer herding, fishing, and traditional crafts. Numbers play a vital role in daily life, especially in trade, storytelling, and rituals. The vigesimal system reflects ancient counting practices, possibly linked to counting on fingers and toes. Certain numbers, like 7 'čiččâm' and 9 'ååu’c', may carry cultural significance, but there are no known taboos associated with specific numbers. The language’s unique counting system exemplifies its deep connection to Sami traditions and environment.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 16 'kutmlo' is formed by adding the suffix '-mlo' to 6 'kutt', illustrating how compound numbers are built.
Fact 2: Unlike English, where 30 is 'thirty', in Skolt Sami, 30 'koummlc' can also be expressed as 'koumlååi', showing dual forms.
Fact 3: The use of '-lo' suffix for tens indicates a vigesimal pattern, similar to French 'quatre-vingts' for 80, but more systematic.
Fact 4: The word for one million 'õhtt miljon' demonstrates borrowing and adaptation of European large number terms into Skolt Sami.
Fact 5: The language’s number system allows expressing very large numbers efficiently, with words like 'õhtt miljon' for one million, reflecting its agglutinative morphology.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Skolt Sami?
1 'õhtt', 2 'kue’htt', 3 'koumm', 4 'nellj', 5 'viit', 6 'kutt', 7 'čiččâm', 8 'kääu’c', 9 'ååu’c', 10 'lååi'.
What number base does Skolt Sami use?
Skolt Sami uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by words like 'kuâhttlo' (20), 'koummlc' (30), and the formation of numbers like 22 'kuåtlõkkuå’t'.
How do you say 42 in Skolt Sami?
42 is 'nellj kuåtlõkčiččâm' (40 + 2), formed by combining 'nelljlo' (40) and 'kue’htt' (2).
How do you say 100 in Skolt Sami?
100 is 'čua’tt'. For larger hundreds, multiply: 200 is 'kue’htt čua’tt'.
How many people speak Skolt Sami?
Approximately 400 speakers live in Finland, primarily in the village of Sevettijärvi.
Is Skolt Sami related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Uralic language family, specifically the Finno-Ugric branch, related to Finnish, Estonian, and other Sami languages.
What makes Skolt Sami counting unique?
Its vigesimal system, with specific suffixes for tens and compound formations, distinguishes it from many other European decimal systems.
Sources
- Skolt Sami vocabulary
- Sami numbers (Omniglot)
- Sámi numerals generator