Latgalistikys kongresu materiali, III. 2011. - Latvijas Universitāte

6 th and 9 th grade and mastered Övdalian. The aim of the scholarship is to
encourage young people to learn and use the local dialect. The first scholarships
were granted in 2009 to nine pupils from 9 th grade and two pupils
from 6 th grade while one year later the number of scholarship-holders doubled
and it was awarded to seventeen pupils from 9 th grade, four from 6 th
grade and three from 3 rd grade (Rehnström 2009:18; 2010:17).
Education
Övdalian in pre-school and school education does not exist nowadays.
In 2006 lessons in Övdalian were introduced as a student’s free
choice in the secondary school Älvdalsskolan and 18 children took part in
this project. Since then there have not been enough pupils interested in
such initiatives and the course has never been repeated. Still, a few teachers
claim that they talk about Övdalian during their lessons — not necessarily
in Swedish lessons.
To the question if teaching Övdalian should be introduced on the
syllabus, 38% of pupils answered “yes”, 36% “no” and 25% “I don’t
know”. Such a high number of undecided pupils may suggest that they
have not reflected upon the problem yet. Adult respondents were more
determined since 75% of parents and office workers said “yes, teaching
Övdalian should be introduced on the syllabus”. Parents, who have not had
the opportunity of studying Övdalian at school, have probably noticed how
important it is for the dialect preservation. Only 9% of adult respondents
claim that teaching Övdalian at school is not necessary (see Diagram 1).
100
90
80
70
60
72
78
50
40
30
20
10
37
36
25
6
22
11
11
Yes
No
I don't know
0
Pupils Parents Municipality
workers
Diagram 1. Do you think that teaching Övdalian
should be introduced on the syllabus?
157