Sunday, January 26, 2020

Swedish and Northern Sámi prayer for Kristina, year 1638

Source:

Swenske och Lappeske ABC-book, 1638


This prayer mentioning Kristina, written in Early Modern Swedish with a translation into an archaic form of the indigenous Northern Sámi language, was included in a 1638 children's book titled Swenske och Lappeske ABC-book, the earliest known written work in any Sámi language. At the time, many words from Swedish existed in the Northern Sámi language that are no longer in use today; and the word Lapp, another name for the Sámi peoples, their languages and their lands, is now considered offensive.

The prayer in Early Modern Swedish:

Gudh gifwe wårom Drottning och all Öffwerheet / Fridh och gott Regement / At wij vnder henne / Jtt roligit och stilla leffuerne föra måghe / J all Gudachtigheet och Ährligheet / Amen.

The prayer in Early Modern Northern Sámi:

Jubmell watte mijan Dråttningin ja kaik Öffwerhetin / raffem ja puårem Regementam / jåtte mija suun wåltne autam juollo ja kiappes viesomem tållwåbb / kaik Jubmellen palon ja puårrewådan / Amen.

English translation (my own):

God give our Queen and all the authorities peace and a good reign, so that we may lead a tranquil and still life under her reign, in all godliness and honesty. Amen.


Above: Kristina.

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