Pronunciation Guide

Aislinn AISE-linn

Lars Lars

Marit Marie

Sanna SAH-nah

Amélie Ah-meh-lee

Kalevala Kah-leh-vah-lah

Eetu EE-tu

All Js are pronounced like Ys. So, Jussi is said "yoosi" and Janna is said "yah-nnah".

Author's Note: This story is set in turn of the century Lappland, Sweden. The characters are fictional, as are the events, although they are based in fact. For instance, the tradition of kneeling on a blanket/rug while getting married is fact. The Kalevala is an epic poem created by the peoples of Viena Karelia, Finland/Russia. It is, in essence, a role model poem created to teach good ethic and so forth. Aislinn was fascinated with the Kalevala because around the turn of the century, the Finnish language was almost completely wiped out by Swedish, and she was personally opposed to this, should this beautiful work of art be lost. She was also enchanted with the sheer poetic beauty and melliflouity of the Kalevala. Finnish did make a recovery, but Swedish is also now currently spoken in Finland.