Publications
Komunikacja językowa w osiemnastowiecznych francuskich wyprawach naukowych do Laponii, Peru i Afryki Południowej
French scientific expeditions of the 18th century to Lappland, Peru, and South Africa revealed that interlingual communication was highly dependent on local linguistic landscapes. Maupertuis relied on bilingual Swedish and Laponian assistants during his geodesic mission (1734–1735), while La Condamine and Le Vaillant sought to eliminate interpreter mediation by learning Spanish, Quechua, Hottentot, and Namaqua languages. In linguistically fragmented regions, expeditions often depended on ad-hoc natural interpreters or leveraged local familiarity with European colonial languages (Spanish, Dutch) and French—the dominant language of scientific discourse at the time. This study analyzes expedition narratives to reconstruct communication strategies, highlighting the role of multilingualism in facilitating cross-cultural scientific exchange during this period.
Wilderness and Culture: Tourist Views and Experiences in the Laponian World Heritage Area
Tourists perceive the Laponian World Heritage Area as a pristine wilderness characterized by untouched nature, wild animals, and minimal human influence, even while acknowledging its use for Sami reindeer herding practices and tourism development. This study reveals that tourists do not view these uses as contradictory, highlighting a nuanced understanding of wilderness that balances natural preservation with cultural and economic activities. To explore these perceptions, researchers surveyed tourists about their views on landscape and the concept of wilderness, providing insights into how people interpret and experience protected areas in northern Sweden.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Laponian Area