I have the Finnish N900, also with only left-right directly and up-down as a secondary function. Really, you don't need the up-down keys so much, considering the overall use of the device. Where are you planning to use them? At least I'm very happy with having öä directly instead of having up and down.

Anyway, you can set the device to use the English layout if you so want to do. Yes, it will not match the printings then anymore, but it's pretty easy to learn by heart.