Pirkko Nuolijärvi
Humanist of the day

Pirkko Nuolijärvi

Professor Pirkko Nuolijärvi is the director of the Institute for the Languages of Finland. She studies change in the Finnish language, interaction in television discussions, the role of spoken language in literature as well as writing on language policy and matters relating to the status of languages. She relaxes with music and reading fiction, picking berries in the woods and rowing in the quiet, early morning in a little lake called Lummenne.

Pirkko Nuolijärvi

Pirkko Sinikka Nuolijärvi
Born July 19, 1949, Artjärvi.

Master of Arts, 1972, Licentiate of Philosophy, 1985 and Doctor of Philosophy, 1986 (Finnish Language), University of Helsinki

Director, Institute for the Languages of Finland, Professor, 1998-
Associate Professor of Finnish and Communications, 1989−98, Helsinki School of Economics
Acting professor of Finnish Language, 1993−94, University of Helsinki
Acting associate professor of Finnish Language 1987−1988, University of Helsinki
Docent, Finnish Language, 1987−, University of Helsinki
Acting University Lecturer 1986−87, University of Uppsala, Department of Fenno-Ugrian Languages
Project researcher, 1982−85, Muuttajien kieli –project, Academy of Finland
Researcher, 1976−81, 1986, Institute for the Languages of Finland
Senior Archive Assistant, 1973−76, Sanakirjasäätiö (’Lexicographical foundation’)
Research Assistant, 1971−72, Käänteissanakirja (‘Reverse dictionary’), academy of Finland

Awards and honours:
Honorary Doctor, Faculty of Arts, University of Vaasa, 2006
Svenska Folkskolans Vänner, Brobyggarpriset (‘Bridgebuilder prize’), 2012
Finnish Cultural Fund Award, 2000
Doctoral Thesis Prize, August Ahlqvist, Kai Donner, Artturi Kannisto ja Yrjö Wichmann fund, 1987
Award, E. A. Saarimaa fund, 1977
Badge of Merit, Estonian Ministry for Education and Science Ministry, 2009
Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (1st class), 2005
Badge of Merit, Svenska Finlands folkting- Swedish Assembly of Finland, 2003

Photo: Otso Kaijaluoto
Written by Pirkko Nuolijärvi (Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta, ed.)
Translated by John Calton

Language policy is an everyday activity

When a Finn hears the term ‘language policy’, perhaps the first thing that comes to their mind is the country’s bilingualism and the status of the Swedish language. Language policy covers those things, too, but it is also so much more: different ways to make the language environment fairer and…

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The many facets of language

The prerequisites for a language’s vitality are diversity and influences from various sources. Surrounded by new words and other linguistic changes, a community is constantly testing its language and culture.

Time and again, a linguist faces the concerned citizen’s anxiety about the decay of language. All things new and different…

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My best memories from the University

I have many good memories from the University. Many of my fellow students became close friends, and we spent countless pleasant moments not only in classrooms but also in cafés. We got to know the corridor of the Finnish department and the lecture halls in Porthania and the Main Building…

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