ABSTRACT
This chapter describes that the language issue refers to the relation between Finnish and Swedish cultures in Finland. It includes here, because not only was it solved through strong legitimacy, but also with little bloodshed. Language conflicts would flare in the second half of the 19th century and the first part of the 20th century, but the issue has since been marginalized, and it has failed to ignite any great emotions. The chapter follows that the main strategies used by the Swedish minority in defending their language rights and the Swedish culture in Finland. The cultural, linguistic and judicial ties with Sweden were of utmost importance to this political grouping. The Constitution Act of 1919 was more attuned to the views of the 'Cultural Swedes'. One of the striking features in the Act and in the subsequent language laws is the principle of symmetry: Swedish speakers and Finnish speakers were to have the same status and the same rights.
