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apply, in so far as appropriate, on the qualification requirements in the Sámi language. Knowledge of the Sámi
language can be demonstrated by an examination referred to in the Act on Public Language Examinations
(668/ 1994), by an examination passed in the context of studies, or by studies in an
institution of tertiary education.
Section 15 — Duty of the authorities to use the Sámi language
In their notices, summonses and letters that are sent to a party or to a person who under law is to be
informed of a pending matter or a matter about to become pending, the authorities shall, regardless
of the
language of proceedings, use the language of the recipient, if this is known or can reasonably be ascertained,
or use both the Finnish and
the Sámi language.
An authority shall use the Sámi language, without a separate request, when responding to written
communications in the Sámi language.
The authorities s hall also otherwise promotes the use of the Sámi language in their activities.
Section 16 — Use of the Sámi language in municipal documents
In municipalities where the proportion of Sámi speakers in the population has on 1 January of the preceding
year exceeded one third, the municipal organs shall use also the Sámi language in records and other
documents not to be issued to private parties, but being of general concern. Also in other municipalities, the
municipal organs shall use the Sámi language in such documents to the extent deemed necessary.
Section 17 — State enterprises and State- or municipality -owned companies
A State enterprise and a service-producing company in which the State or one or more of the
municipalities referred to in section 2, subsection 1, paragraph 1, exert authority, shall in the Sámi homeland
provide the
linguistic service referred to in this Act and provide information to the public also in the Sámi language
to the extent warranted by the nature
and context o f the activity and in a manner that cannot be deemed unreasonable to the enterprise or
company when assessed as a whole. What is provided in this Act regarding authorities applies also to a State
enterprise that attends to a function of an authority.
Section 18 — Obligation of a private entity to provide linguistic services
If a public administrative function has by Act or on the basis of an Act been assigned to a private
entity, the provisions of this Act on an
authority apply to the entity when operating in the Sámi homeland. If the assignee of such a function
in the Sámi homeland is determined by
the decision or other measure of an authority or by contract between the assignee and the authority,
the authority shall ensure that
linguistic service is provided in the performance of the function as provided in this Act. The authority
shall ensure the same also when
assigning a task other than a public administrative function to a private entity in the Sámi homeland, if
the standard of service required in this Act so necessitates.
Chapter 4 — Right to interpretation and translation
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