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SISU
As a former student at Sunderland University, before moving to Finland, I assumed that SISU was an acronym for Sunderland International Students Union. Was I wrong? Apparently yes. An internet search revealed that SISU is actually an acronym for Small Islands for Survival and Understanding a project in the archipelago area of Northern Europe, aimed at creating an international network for islands and villages situated in the archipelago that experience similar problems.
Of course sisu has an entirely different meaning for Finnish people. The question is, how is sisu translated into English and is an Englishman who does not speak Finnish qualified to define sisu?
The closest direct translation is ‘to have guts’. The slightly longer translation being a combination of strength of will, stamina, determination, perseverance, mental toughness, a strong work ethic and acting rationally in the face of adversity.
According to the online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, sisu has a long-term element in it; it is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain it. To anthropologist, it is an appropriate expression for a cold northern land, with thousands of lakes, and long under threat of being overwhelmed, militarily, linguistically and otherwise, by more powerful neighbours. Similar concepts exist among other cold-weather peoples, such as the Inuit and Chukchi.
Due to its cultural significance, Sisu has spawned many brand names in Finland. For example, there are Sisu trucks (now part of Renault) and armoured vehicles; Sisu Diesel engines; a brand of strong-tasting sweets manufactured by Leaf; and even a nationalist political organisation Suomen Sisu.
One of Scandinavia's most prominent contemporary music ensembles is SISU percussion. Established in 1993. They represent contemporary music of the highest quality, authored by both Norwegian and international composers. While in Sweden, there is a sports bookshop called Sisu Idrottsböcker. There is even a mountain in the Antarctic discovered by climber Veikka Gustafsson called Mount Sisu.
Farther-a-field, Sisu Services’ founder and president, Asko Ruuska was born in Finland, but emigrated to America as a teenager. After spending almost 20 years working for others in the aircraft brake and wheel overhaul industry, he decided to muster a little "sisu", and started Sisu Services.
In Canada SISU Pharmaceutical distributes to over 1,400 Canadian Health Supplement Retailers. Other Sisu companies include; Sisu Professional Consulting (England); Sisu Lighting (America); Sisu Candles (Canada) and SISU Rallysports (America) to name but a few. In China, there is even an organisation SISU, aiming to provide higher quality and service to the local and international cycling community.
Sisu normally has very positive connotations. However, there is a ‘bad’ sisu (Finnish paha sisu) which means malice combined with ruthlessness and implacability. This kind of sisu is often associated with politicians, public officials and other persons in a position of authority. Such people stubbornly refuse to admit that they have made a mistake or been negligent even in the face of overwhelming evidence against them.
Although the word sisu is uniquely Finnish, anyone with the persistence, determination and resolve to continue and overcome adversity can be said to have sisu – even an Englishman!
Finally, younger readers, will best know sisu as Simo Sisu the Chief of Police in the Donald Duck stories.
Mike Bangle is the owner of Talking English language consultancy and can be contacted at mike.bangle(at)phnet.fi
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