• Random_Character_A@lemmy.worldEnglish
    302·
    4 days ago

    An interesting factoid. In Finnish language “väkivalta” means violence. It is a combination word:

    väki = people, crowd, folk

    valta = power, reign

    • dogsoahC@lemm.eeEnglish
      121·
      4 days ago

      So… in Finland “democracy” and “violence” are the same thing? xD

    • IsoKiero@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      5·
      4 days ago

      Väki also means (or at least used to) ‘power’ or ‘strong’ (väkivahva, väkijuoma…) and that’s also where the etymology for ‘väkivalta’ comes from. So it’s got nothing to do with people.

      • barsoap@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        4 days ago

        Valta also sounds like a Germanic loan just a second… yep. Same root as German “Gewalt”, violence, “walten”, to rule, preside, “verwalten”, to administer, also English wield.

        What’s it with Finnish. One third borrowed from Estonian, another third from the Swedes, the rest from the Sami.