Did you know that the islands have their own dialect? Maybe you have noticed the extensive use of the word \u201cnice\u201d on Saaremaa? Locals use it to describe almost everything, but that doesn\u2019t necessarily always show their appreciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat a nice story\u201d (\u201ckena lugu k\u00fcll \u2013 ed) is often meant ironically \u2013 when something is unusual or funny. Simply saying \u201cNice!\u201d could mean \u201cAlright!\u201d. It is so characteristic to Saaremaa, that people from Hiiumaa even refer to Saaremaa residents as \u201cnice ones\u201d or \u201cnices\u201d. \u201cHere those nice ones go again!\u201d they might say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is actually a special term for people from the mainland as well. On Hiiumaa, they are referred to as \u201cp\u00f6tku\u201d. If you need a comparison, then it\u2019s a bit like in the Harry Potter books, in which a \u201cmuggle\u201d is a person without magic powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the mainland, however, people from Saaremaa are known for not using the Estonian letter \u00d5. Instead, they use \u00d6. These letters may be equally confusing to most foreigners, but Estonians do tell the difference, and if you say \u201c\u00f6un\u201d instead of \u201c\u00f5un\u201d (\u201capple\u201d in Estonian \u2013 ed), they will know you are from Saaremaa. And almost as if to avoid using that letter, the word for apple on Saaremaa is \u201cubin\u201d instead of the regular \u201c\u00f5un\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though there is some friendly rivalry and banter between the islands, a common trait for all of them is their love for the sea. Therefore, it\u2019s not surprising that there are many expressions about the sea that may sound weird to the mainlanders. \u201cMeri on plekk\u201d would mean \u201cthe sea is sheet metal\u201d in literal translation, but what is actually meant is that the sea is as smooth and clear as sheet metal, without a single wave. That sounds like a good day for going fishing, doesn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hiiu language is a dialect that is spoken on Hiiumaa. Grammar-wise, it is quite like mainland Estonian. The difference is mostly in pronunciation and vocabulary. Hiiumaa has issued its own dictionary, which contains many findings that may surprise even Hiiumaa locals, not to mention other Estonians, as well as simply being something interesting to study for anyone who wants to get the first glimpse of the island way of thinking and expressing themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hiiu language \u2013 Saare language \u2013 mainland Estonian \u2013 English<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n karvakala \u2013 mustu \u2013 h\u00fcljes \u2013 seal <\/p>\n\n\n\n koiku \u2013 koigas \u2013 voodi \u2013 bed <\/p>\n\n\n\n kuigilinnud \u2013 kuigilinnud \u2013 luiged \u2013 swans <\/p>\n\n\n\n paargu \u2013 paargu \u2013 v\u00e4lik\u00f6\u00f6k \u2013 an outdoor kitchen<\/p>\n\n\n\n tinuneitsid \u2013 \u00e4tsad, neitsitina \u2013 p\u00e4\u00e4susilmad \u2013 bird\u2019s-eye primrose<\/p>\n\n\n\n mandilaga \u2013 nott \u2013 hapukoorekaste \u2013 sour cream sauce<\/p>\n\n\n\n muku \u2013 kena, tuiu \u2013 armas, ilus \u2013 cute, beautiful<\/p>\n\n\n\n pitsu \u2013 pink \u2013 v\u00e4ike madal pink \u2013 a small bench<\/p>\n\n\n\n All islanders are very proud of their heritage. They use their dialect gladly and keep teaching it to younger generations. For example, Muhu has even published a spelling book in their dialect. As proper islanders, the authors have said it was partly fuelled by envy and island stubbornness, because Kihnu already had their own spelling book, but Muhu didn\u2019t. The creators of the Muhu Oabits \u2013 the title of the spelling book \u2013 hope that this book helps to preserve and continue Muhu identity and traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saaremaa\u2019s largest peninsula S\u00f5rve has also issued their own spelling book. \u201cS\u00f6rulase aabits\u201d is the first book covering the essence of being s\u00f6rulane (a person living in S\u00f5rve region \u2013 ed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Customs and traditions are generally well-preserved on all the western Estonian islands. They can be spotted in the architecture, tasted in the local cuisine, and felt in nature. It is only natural that the dialect also makes a small impression on you during your stay on the islands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Did you know that the islands have their own dialect? Maybe you have noticed the extensive use of the word \u201cnice\u201d on Saaremaa? Locals use it to describe almost everything, but that doesn\u2019t necessarily always show their appreciation. \u201cWhat a nice story\u201d (\u201ckena lugu k\u00fcll \u2013 ed) is often meant ironically \u2013 when something is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"blocks_custom":[{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n Did you know that the islands have their own dialect? Maybe you have noticed the extensive use of the word \u201cnice\u201d on Saaremaa? Locals use it to describe almost everything, but that doesn\u2019t necessarily always show their appreciation.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n Did you know that the islands have their own dialect? Maybe you have noticed the extensive use of the word \u201cnice\u201d on Saaremaa? Locals use it to describe almost everything, but that doesn\u2019t necessarily always show their appreciation.<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n \u201cWhat a nice story\u201d (\u201ckena lugu k\u00fcll \u2013 ed) is often meant ironically \u2013 when something is unusual or funny. Simply saying \u201cNice!\u201d could mean \u201cAlright!\u201d. It is so characteristic to Saaremaa, that people from Hiiumaa even refer to Saaremaa residents as \u201cnice ones\u201d or \u201cnices\u201d. \u201cHere those nice ones go again!\u201d they might say.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n \u201cWhat a nice story\u201d (\u201ckena lugu k\u00fcll \u2013 ed) is often meant ironically \u2013 when something is unusual or funny. Simply saying \u201cNice!\u201d could mean \u201cAlright!\u201d. It is so characteristic to Saaremaa, that people from Hiiumaa even refer to Saaremaa residents as \u201cnice ones\u201d or \u201cnices\u201d. \u201cHere those nice ones go again!\u201d they might say.<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n There is actually a special term for people from the mainland as well. On Hiiumaa, they are referred to as \u201cp\u00f6tku\u201d. If you need a comparison, then it\u2019s a bit like in the Harry Potter books, in which a \u201cmuggle\u201d is a person without magic powers.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n There is actually a special term for people from the mainland as well. On Hiiumaa, they are referred to as \u201cp\u00f6tku\u201d. If you need a comparison, then it\u2019s a bit like in the Harry Potter books, in which a \u201cmuggle\u201d is a person without magic powers.<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n On the mainland, however, people from Saaremaa are known for not using the Estonian letter \u00d5. Instead, they use \u00d6. These letters may be equally confusing to most foreigners, but Estonians do tell the difference, and if you say \u201c\u00f6un\u201d instead of \u201c\u00f5un\u201d (\u201capple\u201d in Estonian \u2013 ed), they will know you are from Saaremaa. And almost as if to avoid using that letter, the word for apple on Saaremaa is \u201cubin\u201d instead of the regular \u201c\u00f5un\u201d.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n On the mainland, however, people from Saaremaa are known for not using the Estonian letter \u00d5. Instead, they use \u00d6. These letters may be equally confusing to most foreigners, but Estonians do tell the difference, and if you say \u201c\u00f6un\u201d instead of \u201c\u00f5un\u201d (\u201capple\u201d in Estonian \u2013 ed), they will know you are from Saaremaa. And almost as if to avoid using that letter, the word for apple on Saaremaa is \u201cubin\u201d instead of the regular \u201c\u00f5un\u201d.<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n Even though there is some friendly rivalry and banter between the islands, a common trait for all of them is their love for the sea. Therefore, it\u2019s not surprising that there are many expressions about the sea that may sound weird to the mainlanders. \u201cMeri on plekk\u201d would mean \u201cthe sea is sheet metal\u201d in literal translation, but what is actually meant is that the sea is as smooth and clear as sheet metal, without a single wave. That sounds like a good day for going fishing, doesn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n Even though there is some friendly rivalry and banter between the islands, a common trait for all of them is their love for the sea. Therefore, it\u2019s not surprising that there are many expressions about the sea that may sound weird to the mainlanders. \u201cMeri on plekk\u201d would mean \u201cthe sea is sheet metal\u201d in literal translation, but what is actually meant is that the sea is as smooth and clear as sheet metal, without a single wave. That sounds like a good day for going fishing, doesn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n The Hiiu language is a dialect that is spoken on Hiiumaa. Grammar-wise, it is quite like mainland Estonian. The difference is mostly in pronunciation and vocabulary. Hiiumaa has issued its own dictionary, which contains many findings that may surprise even Hiiumaa locals, not to mention other Estonians, as well as simply being something interesting to study for anyone who wants to get the first glimpse of the island way of thinking and expressing themselves.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n The Hiiu language is a dialect that is spoken on Hiiumaa. Grammar-wise, it is quite like mainland Estonian. The difference is mostly in pronunciation and vocabulary. Hiiumaa has issued its own dictionary, which contains many findings that may surprise even Hiiumaa locals, not to mention other Estonians, as well as simply being something interesting to study for anyone who wants to get the first glimpse of the island way of thinking and expressing themselves.<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n Hiiu language \u2013 Saare language \u2013 mainland Estonian \u2013 English<\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n Hiiu language \u2013 Saare language \u2013 mainland Estonian \u2013 English<\/strong><\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n karvakala \u2013 mustu \u2013 h\u00fcljes \u2013 seal <\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n karvakala \u2013 mustu \u2013 h\u00fcljes \u2013 seal <\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n koiku \u2013 koigas \u2013 voodi \u2013 bed <\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n koiku \u2013 koigas \u2013 voodi \u2013 bed <\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n kuigilinnud \u2013 kuigilinnud \u2013 luiged \u2013 swans <\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n kuigilinnud \u2013 kuigilinnud \u2013 luiged \u2013 swans <\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n paargu \u2013 paargu \u2013 v\u00e4lik\u00f6\u00f6k \u2013 an outdoor kitchen<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n paargu \u2013 paargu \u2013 v\u00e4lik\u00f6\u00f6k \u2013 an outdoor kitchen<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n tinuneitsid \u2013 \u00e4tsad, neitsitina \u2013 p\u00e4\u00e4susilmad \u2013 bird\u2019s-eye primrose<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n tinuneitsid \u2013 \u00e4tsad, neitsitina \u2013 p\u00e4\u00e4susilmad \u2013 bird\u2019s-eye primrose<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n mandilaga \u2013 nott \u2013 hapukoorekaste \u2013 sour cream sauce<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n mandilaga \u2013 nott \u2013 hapukoorekaste \u2013 sour cream sauce<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n muku \u2013 kena, tuiu \u2013 armas, ilus \u2013 cute, beautiful<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n muku \u2013 kena, tuiu \u2013 armas, ilus \u2013 cute, beautiful<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n pitsu \u2013 pink \u2013 v\u00e4ike madal pink \u2013 a small bench<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n pitsu \u2013 pink \u2013 v\u00e4ike madal pink \u2013 a small bench<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n All islanders are very proud of their heritage. They use their dialect gladly and keep teaching it to younger generations. For example, Muhu has even published a spelling book in their dialect. As proper islanders, the authors have said it was partly fuelled by envy and island stubbornness, because Kihnu already had their own spelling book, but Muhu didn\u2019t. The creators of the Muhu Oabits \u2013 the title of the spelling book \u2013 hope that this book helps to preserve and continue Muhu identity and traditions.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n All islanders are very proud of their heritage. They use their dialect gladly and keep teaching it to younger generations. For example, Muhu has even published a spelling book in their dialect. As proper islanders, the authors have said it was partly fuelled by envy and island stubbornness, because Kihnu already had their own spelling book, but Muhu didn\u2019t. The creators of the Muhu Oabits \u2013 the title of the spelling book \u2013 hope that this book helps to preserve and continue Muhu identity and traditions.<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n Saaremaa\u2019s largest peninsula S\u00f5rve has also issued their own spelling book. \u201cS\u00f6rulase aabits\u201d is the first book covering the essence of being s\u00f6rulane (a person living in S\u00f5rve region \u2013 ed).<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n Saaremaa\u2019s largest peninsula S\u00f5rve has also issued their own spelling book. \u201cS\u00f6rulase aabits\u201d is the first book covering the essence of being s\u00f6rulane (a person living in S\u00f5rve region \u2013 ed).<\/p>\n"]},{"blockName":null,"attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n\n","innerContent":["\n\n"]},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":[],"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n Customs and traditions are generally well-preserved on all the western Estonian islands. They can be spotted in the architecture, tasted in the local cuisine, and felt in nature. It is only natural that the dialect also makes a small impression on you during your stay on the islands.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n Customs and traditions are generally well-preserved on all the western Estonian islands. They can be spotted in the architecture, tasted in the local cuisine, and felt in nature. It is only natural that the dialect also makes a small impression on you during your stay on the islands.<\/p>\n"]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":307,"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27\/revisions\/307"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mosaared.visitsaaremaa.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}