Estonian language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Estonian |
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| eesti keel | ||||
| Native to | Estonia | |||
| Ethnicity | Estonians | |||
| Native speakers | 1.1 million (2012)e18 | |||
| Language family | ||||
| Writing system | Latin (Estonian alphabet) Estonian Braille |
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| Official status | ||||
| Official language in |  Estonia European Union |
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| Regulated by | Institute of the Estonian Language / Eesti Keele Instituut, Emakeele Selts (semi-official) | |||
| Linguasphere | 41-AAA-d | |||
Distribution of estonian language
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The Estonian language (Estonian: eesti keel) is a Uralic language. It is mainly spoken in Estonia. The Estonian language is similar to Finnish and is one of the few national languages of Europe not to be an Indo-European language.
The Estonian alphabet uses the Latin alphabet. It has many vowels, including Ö, Ä, Õ and Ü.
It has been influenced by and adopted many words from German and Swedish. Estonian language also has different dialects.
Sample words
| Üks | One |
| Kaks | Two |
| Kolm | Three |
| Jah | Yes |
| Ei | No |
| Mina/Ma | I |
| Sina/Sa | You (in singular) |
| Tema/Ta | He/She |
| Meie/Me | We |
| Teie/Te | You (in plural) |
| Nemad/Nad | They |
| Olen/Mina olen | I am |
| Eesti | Estonia |
| Maja | House |
| Kodu | Home |
| Tee | Way |
Images for kids
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Estonian grammar published in Reval in 1637 by Heinrich Stahl
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An 1885 ABC-book in Võro written by Johann Hurt: "Wastne Võro keeli ABD raamat"
See also
In Spanish: Idioma estonio para niños
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Estonian language Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.