Martti_Räsänen
Martti Räsänen
Finnish linguist and turkologist
Arvo Martti Oktavianus Räsänen (June 25, 1893 – September 7, 1976) was a Finnish linguist and turkologist. He operated as a docent of turkology at University of Helsinki from 1926 forwards, and as an additional professor of Turkic philology from 1944 to 1961.[1]
Räsänen studied in Finland and also in Kazan from 1915 to 1917 and in Budapest during 1924 to 1925.[2]
Räsänen did many exploration trips to Central Europe and Turkey. During his time in Turkey, he collected local poetry, songs, fairy tales and stories. He later released the material in a 600 page, four-part publication named Türkische Sprachproben aus Mittel-Anatolien.[3][1]
Räsänen’s field of research was history of words, the relation between Turkic and Finno-Ugric languages and some other similar subjects. He showed interest towards the local Tatar community. Räsänen was a supporter of the Ural-Altaic language hypothesis. [4]
His parents were Volksschule teachers Antti Räsänen and Kaisa Sofia Vuolevi. His brother was a lichen researcher and biologist Veli Räsänen.[2][1]
Martti Räsänen was married to a German woman named Auguste Brunhilde Ludwig. Räsänen was originally from Simo. He died in Helsinki.[1]
