The cultural meaning of Sámi language, costume, and food to the Sámi, from the perspective of well-being

Figures & data

Table 1. An example of the progress of analysis of interview data.

The study question	Original expressions	Reduced expressions	Subcategory	Main category/theme
What does Sámi language mean for Sámi?	In Finnish one cannot express one’s inner matters. Language of thoughts and feelings. A person can acquire things better in one’s own language.	Possibility to discuss inner matters	Tool with to communicate holistically	Overall communication
	It is the norm that family matters and difficult issues are not discussed with outsiders. An expert of one’s own culture can interpret this and organise services accordingly.	Everything does not have to be expressed through words	Cultures inner codes	Intercultural communication
	Important care instructions were misunderstood. When the subject is not understood, one cannot follow the instructions. The content of terms was not understood. First, they have to be translated into one’s own language.	Difficulties in understanding	Being understood Having understood	Safety
	My own appreciation has risen. Would not be in contact with the relatives. Sámi language connects to the family. I could not communicate with my relatives if I did not speak Sámi.	Connecting the relatives over boundaries. Relatives, family, tradition and roots	Becoming part of a larger entity	Belonging together Continuity