HOW TO MEET AND MINGLE WITH THE SAMIS

national costume
In order to give you av true experience in how the samis are there are some general principles it pays off to follow:


Samis might be very straight forward and tell you precicely what they mean at any time.
This is a necessity in order to make you a better survivor  in the arctic.

The better is trying to open up for a new experience rather than expecting to meet your OWN culture, way of communicate and to interact. The guide will of course be polite and will be doing the best to make you feel comfortable. The way of communicating might however be misunderstood as short and direct although this is not meant to be rude.

Sami language is a language based upon exact topics, upon stories which not always are possible to translate. It is not possible to use english language to write a "guidebook": The culture must be experienced. The elements must be felt.

The sami way of being in the nature is silent: You teach it through learning by doing. It is not tradition to talk or make noice: This will frighten the natures animals. When a newcomer enters the nature he or she should do as their mentors and ask for advice at any time.

It is regarded as stupidness not to express your needs: If you are hungry, cold or if you are uncomfortable in any way. In the wilderness it is crucial to survive and it is misunderstood politeliness if you do not express such needs. Experience has shown that trying to be "polite" about this gives the worst blisters, frostbite, hypothermia, mosquitobites cuts and wounds or even burns. The sami guides are trained to avoid such happenings and have cures and means to avoid some of what mentioned above. It is crucial that you let the sami help you when needed. He or she is dependent upon your ability to tell the true story about how you really are.

How to say it in sami:
Common phrases
Thank You:
Wellcome:
Quickly:
Where:
What:
What did you say:
Yes:
No:
Excuse me:
The check:
Good Bye:
Maybe:
It is all right:
I do not understand you:
I speek only little...
How much does it cost:
Help me:
I would like to :
Do you have :
What does it cost:


Greetings
Good Morning:
Good day:
Good evening:
Good night:
Hi:
My name is...
What is your name
How are you
Just fine thank you! And you?
Good bye (see you)
Goodbye
See you tomorrow

Information
To the left:
To the right:

Accidents
Doctor/physician
Be careful :
It was my fault:
It was your fault:

 
Wine and dine
Place to eat:
Spoon:
Fork:
Knife:
Cheers:



Giitu
Bures boahtin
Doama
Gos
Maid
Maid dadjet
Juo
A-a / Ii
Andagassi
Aigun maksit
Eale dearvan
Varra
Dat lea ortnegis / (Dat lea kreitta)
In adde maid dadjat
Mun halan dusse veaha
Man ollu maksa
Veahket mu
Dan mun gal livccen halidan
Lea go dus
Man ollu dat maksa



Buorre idit
Buorre beaivi
Buorre eahket
Buorre idja
Bures
Mu namma lea...
Mii du namma lea
Mo duinna manna
Bures giitu! And you?
Oaidnaleapmai
Baze dearvan
Oaidnaletne ihttin


Gurut guvlui
Olges guvlui


Doavttir
Varut
Lei mu sivva
Lei du sivva



Borranbaikki
Bastte
Gaffal
Niibi
Maistte





Read more about samis: Sami Parliament informs

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