The Finnish language and its ties to Arcane, Renegades Epic
The Finnish language boasts a Disney-like, fairytale vibe that made it the perfect inspiration for the magic language in my work.
If a Finn read my work, they might laugh at it. Not because they wouldn’t like my books, but because they’d probably say, “Man, this is a poor attempt to emulate our language.”
In many ways, they’d be right. I’ve often said that the Elemental/Mage languages used are based on the Finnish language, but not Finnish, itself. That said, it’s not intended to emulate Finnish 100 percent, or else I’d have hired a translator.
But they might still ask the burning question: “Why the hell did he choose Finnish and not another language?” It’s freaking otherworldly, as I mentioned in the intro.
I mean, walking into Finland’s vast forests would be otherworldly enough, but there’s literally no other language like it on the planet. And it’s niche, spoken by roughly 5.4 million. It’s not a juggernaut like English, Mandarin, Spanish, or Arabic, to name a few.
Finnish also isn’t easy to learn. Hell, if you took the phone you’re reading this article on and switched the language to Finnish, good luck reading the words quickly and thoroughly. It’s impossible, unless you practice reading the weather reports daily.
Why not other languages, like Gaelic, Latin, or Old Norse? Easy. I’ve already read books where they take center stage. I wanted to break more unfamiliar ground.
The Finnish language is a blend of mysticism and complexity
Magical. That was the first adjective that came to mind when I listened to three songs, both by the Finnish symphonic metal band, Nightwish. They were Lappi (Angels Fall First), Erämaan Viimeinen (based on Last of the Wilds from Dark Passion Play), and Taikatalvi (Imaginaerum).
That was back in the mid-2010s. Even then, I knew, at some point, Finnish, or at least a variant of it, would play a major role in my work.
Cursed Mage and the entire Catenarian Chronicles series are the most prominent. Names like Kaija Jokiharju, Vesala Kinnunen, Satu Viiminen, Tuuli Kotkaniemi, and Niilo Tuisku are all Finnish.
Even places, like Linna Yliopisto (Castle University), Lansimeri, Pollojen Majatalo, and Taivaallinen Paikka, are also Finnish-derived.
My main character, Kaija, is also a legendary Maalivahti, which Finns might recognize as the equivalent of goaltender. In my work, a Maalivahti is a Mage/Elemental/Sentry who can control the element of spirit alongside another element, like water.
But since I have a background in writing about ice hockey, and I felt the word rolled off the tongue well, I went with Maalivahti to describe these gifted individuals.
As you probably figured out, it’s not easy to pronounce words in Finnish. But, since I expect my readers to be curious and intellectually-gifted enough to understand and embrace my complex plots, odds are, they’d embrace Finnish.
Finnish also pops up in Arcane Elemental Academy
Ironically, for as much of Cursed Mage’s Finnish flair, I kept the months of the year in English. Why? I have no clue.
But in Arcane Elemental Academy, simple-minded casual readers are gonna flip the switch. “What the fuck’s Elokuu? Syyskuu? Lokakuu?” You get the point.
I’m sure my Finnish readers would find it hilarious. Anyway, the months of the year aren’t the only Finnish elements. I also have minor characters named Ukko, Rauni, Tapio, and Mielikki, all named after Finnish gods and goddesses.
Fittingly, Ukko’s son, and Yote Diamondback’s love interest, is named Storm. And I’m sure other Finnish elements will spring up. If you’re looking to read my work that’s rich in at least variants of the Finnish language, catch it at The Rebel Lore Vault. You’ll find both Cursed Mage and The Arcane Prophecy there.
