Chapter 1: A New Era for Finnish Media

Just a week ago, those wanting to enjoy Finnish media on YouTube faced significant barriers if they didn't understand the language. Crafting subtitles is a labor-intensive task for content creators, intended to include the hearing impaired and attract international viewers.

In my experience, fewer than 10% of Finnish YouTube videos featured self-created subtitles in either Finnish or English. Personally, I preferred Finnish subtitles since they allowed me to use Language Reactor for dual-language viewing. The English translations often left much to be desired, leading to frustration over inaccuracies.

Why are you translating it differently in English? What is your intention behind that?

For certain Finnish videos, I spent over $30 on AI transcription services, only to upload the results to Google Docs for machine translation into English. However, these initial AI-generated subtitles were often subpar and costly.

Crazy things we do for our passion for languages.

When exploring YouTube in various target languages, I discovered the convenience of auto-generated subtitles. These subtitles rely on AI technology to recognize spoken language, and while they can be imperfect, I found them invaluable for gauging my language comprehension. I encountered such subtitles while watching content in French, Japanese, and Russian.

I can confidently assert that these imperfect subtitles do not hinder language acquisition.

However, it was frustrating to realize that Finnish was too complex for AI to handle.

Recently, I reflected on how disconnected I had become from Finnish media. Rewatching the same videos and rereading familiar books felt tedious. I pondered whether I should lower my expectations to the B1 CEFR level (lower intermediate) and put Finnish on "maintenance mode."

Then, I noticed a shift in the Finnish YouTube landscape—new videos appeared with closed captions (CC). How could this be? Many Finnish creators had ceased self-subtitling due to declining viewer engagement, deeming the effort not worth the returns. It seems people are spending less time online and more enjoying life.

To my delight, Finnish auto-generated subtitles started appearing in nearly every video! They even managed to recognize the Southern puhekieli dialect, which possesses distinct grammatical rules compared to standard Finnish.

It's as if a tide has receded, revealing a vast expanse of opportunity.

The wave of Finnish media is upon us.

It's crucial to note that these auto-generated subtitles appear far more coherent when integrated with Language Reactor to create dual-language subtitles. While YouTube allows for auto-translation to English, the flow of words is disjointed.

We are on the brink of something remarkable. However, I don't foresee many Finnish learners investing in a VPN to access Yle, where most Finnish media resides. I might be a bit extreme in my enthusiasm for accessing Finnish content, but many learners I've encountered are hesitant about the idea of using a VPN.

I also doubt many learners will purchase native audiobooks and translate .epub files to read English subtitles. We are often conditioned by educational systems to start with beginner resources. Even some of my Finnish instructors looked at me incredulously when I mentioned the advanced books I was reading.

This leaves YouTube as the primary source of accessible Finnish media, especially since most Finnish content creators have not prioritized self-subtitling.

Until the arrival of AI-generated subtitles! This development marks a significant victory for the Finnish language, granting learners access to a wealth of media.

Chapter 2: Rediscovering Finnish YouTube

The first video I watched was Krouppicast, a channel that often delves into casual conversation—sometimes aimless, yet reflective of real-life interactions. The speakers frequently interrupt each other, utilize slang, and lack clear enunciation.

This channel embodies authentic puhekieli (spoken language). I had stepped back from puhekieli for a while, feeling fatigued by repetitive content from the same YouTubers. After a break to focus on Finnish audiobooks, I've now returned to YouTube with renewed enthusiasm.

It's amusing that I can name almost all Finnish YouTube influencers yet know very few American YouTubers. I only discovered Mr. Beast a year ago, which shows my disconnect from American media.

Here are some of my favorite Finnish YouTubers and their channels:

• Nordnet Suomi Traders Club: Clear and concise discussions about trading and investing. This podcast serves as my "plateau breaker," with a fairly narrow yet seemingly advanced vocabulary range.
• Nordnet Suomi Rahapodi: A self-proclaimed "boomer podcast." Miikka and Martin provide entertaining insights on economic and political topics. This was one of my initial finds with self-authored subtitles, and their absence for two months would be a significant loss.
• Ali Leiniö: An extreme adventurer exploring remote Finnish Lapland, often in winter. This popular channel has garnered international attention. I revisit it for nature and geography vocabulary.
• Gamers: Channels like Eeddplays, Herbalisti, T I N K E, and Namikolinx. I previously discussed the efficiency of gaming streams for language learning.
• Krouppicast: An uplifting podcast; understanding it without subtitles would signify true proficiency in Finnish. I’ve yet to find a more challenging YouTube channel.
• Vinkare: Ville Kankare's series about New York offers fascinating insights from a Finnish perspective. His earlier series on the city in 2015 is also a favorite.
• Puheenaihe: This show frequently hosts intriguing guests. A standout episode on psychedelics was far beyond my language level initially, but the self-authored subtitles allowed me to memorize it after multiple viewings.

I've been eagerly clicking through Finnish YouTube videos, and the algorithm is now introducing me to new creators. I anticipate discovering hidden gems in Finnish media and enhancing my language proficiency.

This seemingly minor update to YouTube has transformed the landscape. It's a significant win for Finnish creators aiming to reach broader audiences and for learners seeking to immerse themselves in the language.

Does your target language have AI-generated subtitles on YouTube? Share your experiences and opinions!