Category
Topic
Year
Using corpus data to support lexicographers in identifying informal language
Keywords: corpus query system, lexicography, registers, labels, informal language
This study examines how new corpus analysis tools can assist lexicographers in determining whether to assign a word an informal register label in a dictionary. Labelling words in dictionaries is necessary for language users seeking register information. Moreover, there have been calls for the upcoming Dictionary of Standard Estonian (DSE, 2025) to clearly distinguish standard language from other linguistic varieties.
Informal language was chosen for analysis because it is more difficult to define than other marked registers. In DSE 2018, some words were labelled as informal based on language planning decisions rather than…
This study examines how new corpus analysis tools can assist lexicographers in determining whether to assign a word an informal register label in a dictionary. Labelling words in dictionaries is necessary for language users seeking register information. Moreover, there have been calls for the upcoming Dictionary of Standard Estonian (DSE, 2025) to clearly distinguish standard language from other linguistic varieties.
Informal language was chosen for analysis because it is more difficult to define than other marked registers. In DSE 2018, some words were labelled as informal based on language planning decisions rather than…
Other-initiated repair in the phone calls of the TV series Õnne 13
Keywords: film dialogue, telephone conversation, repair organization, Estonian
This paper analyzes phone calls from the Estonian television series Õnne 13 (“Happiness Street 13”) using the methodological framework of conversation analysis. The dataset consists of 60 everyday phone calls from various seasons (1994–2024). A defining characteristic of these calls is their one-sidedness, with one participant simulating a dialogue. By applying the core analytical technique of conversation analysis – the next-turn proof procedure – it is possible to reconstruct the missing turns of the interlocutor based on how the speaker interprets the previous turn.
In film discourse, the model includes not only the ratified…
This paper analyzes phone calls from the Estonian television series Õnne 13 (“Happiness Street 13”) using the methodological framework of conversation analysis. The dataset consists of 60 everyday phone calls from various seasons (1994–2024). A defining characteristic of these calls is their one-sidedness, with one participant simulating a dialogue. By applying the core analytical technique of conversation analysis – the next-turn proof procedure – it is possible to reconstruct the missing turns of the interlocutor based on how the speaker interprets the previous turn.
In film discourse, the model includes not only the ratified…
The any-spaces-whatever of Mehis Heinsaar
Keywords: Gilles Deleuze, any-space-whatever, body without organs, Mehis Heinsaar, contemporary Estonian literature
The works of Mehis Heinsaar have seldom been examined through the philosophical or theoretical frameworks prevalent in Western humanities and social sciences. One notable exception is the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze, for whom Heinsaar seems to have a particular affinity: Deleuze’s ideas have been repeatedly employed in interpreting Heinsaar’s works, and the author himself has expressed interest in them. However, previous engagements with Deleuze’s philosophy have primarily drawn on the concepts of desiring-machines and rhizomes, as introduced in Kafka by Deleuze and Guattari – concepts that are well suited…
The works of Mehis Heinsaar have seldom been examined through the philosophical or theoretical frameworks prevalent in Western humanities and social sciences. One notable exception is the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze, for whom Heinsaar seems to have a particular affinity: Deleuze’s ideas have been repeatedly employed in interpreting Heinsaar’s works, and the author himself has expressed interest in them. However, previous engagements with Deleuze’s philosophy have primarily drawn on the concepts of desiring-machines and rhizomes, as introduced in Kafka by Deleuze and Guattari – concepts that are well suited…
“I have spoken!”
Keywords: intellectual history, early modern orations, University of Tartu, Neo-Latin in academia
This article introduces the genre of orations, or academic speeches, at the University of Tartu during the early modern period (1632–1710) and examines their role as a central literary, pedagogical, social, and performative practice in university life. The Tartu oration corpus consists of approximately 230 printed texts, mostly in Latin, authored by both students and other members of the academic community. These speeches were composed on a wide range of topics, and for various purposes and occasions. Alongside a description of the corpus based on bibliographic metadata and a…
This article introduces the genre of orations, or academic speeches, at the University of Tartu during the early modern period (1632–1710) and examines their role as a central literary, pedagogical, social, and performative practice in university life. The Tartu oration corpus consists of approximately 230 printed texts, mostly in Latin, authored by both students and other members of the academic community. These speeches were composed on a wide range of topics, and for various purposes and occasions. Alongside a description of the corpus based on bibliographic metadata and a…
Juhan Liiv’s poetry and its relationship with literary tradition
Keywords: Juhan Liiv, poetry, literary relations, literary translation, world literature
This article explores the relationship between Juhan Liiv’s poetry and the literary traditions of both Estonian and world poetry in his time. It focuses on Liiv’s early work, during which his distinctive poetic style emerged. While previous research in Estonian literary studies has identified certain aesthetic influences on Liiv, the prevailing view has held that his writing style developed largely in isolation from literary tradition. I compiled all previous observations on Liiv’s influences, connected and expanded upon these findings, and concluded that: (1) Liiv’s development as a poet took place within…
This article explores the relationship between Juhan Liiv’s poetry and the literary traditions of both Estonian and world poetry in his time. It focuses on Liiv’s early work, during which his distinctive poetic style emerged. While previous research in Estonian literary studies has identified certain aesthetic influences on Liiv, the prevailing view has held that his writing style developed largely in isolation from literary tradition. I compiled all previous observations on Liiv’s influences, connected and expanded upon these findings, and concluded that: (1) Liiv’s development as a poet took place within…
Variation of the diminutive suffix -kEnE in Estonian runic songs
Keywords: linguistics, folkloristics, runic songs, suffixes
This article investigates the variation of the diminutive suffix –kEnE in Estonian runic songs (regilaulud), comparing its usage to that in contemporary Estonian dialects. The study employs variationist linguistic methods to analyze the frequency and forms of diminutive usage in the runic song corpus, with particular attention to geographic and verse-contextual distribution of the suffix. The study focuses on the definition and functions of diminutives in runic songs, as well as their usage patterns. The research combines frequency analysis with qualitative examination of the most common examples. One key finding is that the proportion of…
This article investigates the variation of the diminutive suffix –kEnE in Estonian runic songs (regilaulud), comparing its usage to that in contemporary Estonian dialects. The study employs variationist linguistic methods to analyze the frequency and forms of diminutive usage in the runic song corpus, with particular attention to geographic and verse-contextual distribution of the suffix. The study focuses on the definition and functions of diminutives in runic songs, as well as their usage patterns. The research combines frequency analysis with qualitative examination of the most common examples. One key finding is that the proportion of…
On the origin of the Estonian name Petseri
Keywords: toponyms, etymology, Estonian language, Old East Slavic language, Russian language
There are several explanations for the origin of the name of the town of Petseri (Russian: Печоры) and its monastery (commonly referred to as Печерский монастырь). The author of this article is convinced that the name Petseri derives from the Old East Slavic word печера, meaning ‘cave’. The formation of the toponym is inspired by the sandstone cave, which is closely tied to the history of the Petseri monastery. There is no reason to associate the name with that of the village of Paatskohka, as that is based on a…
There are several explanations for the origin of the name of the town of Petseri (Russian: Печоры) and its monastery (commonly referred to as Печерский монастырь). The author of this article is convinced that the name Petseri derives from the Old East Slavic word печера, meaning ‘cave’. The formation of the toponym is inspired by the sandstone cave, which is closely tied to the history of the Petseri monastery. There is no reason to associate the name with that of the village of Paatskohka, as that is based on a…
kabajantsik and vorlontsik
Keywords: Estonian vocabulary, etymology, loanwords
Vocabulary researchers have repeatedly discussed the origins of the Estonian words kabajantsik ‘vagabond, crook, suspicious person’ and vorlontsik ‘idler, loafer’, yet no convincing etymological explanation has emerged. This brief article explores, based on a wealth of background material, the possibility that these words originate from Russian.
For kabajantsik, the likely Russian loan source, in the author’s view, is the Pskov dialect word каба́щик (каба́ччик), cf. кабатчик meaning ‘innkeeper, tavern keeper’. The Votic word kabatšikk(a) ‘innkeeper’ also derives from the same source. vorlontsik is probably borrowed from a word family that includes the Russian dialect forms (from Pskov…
Vocabulary researchers have repeatedly discussed the origins of the Estonian words kabajantsik ‘vagabond, crook, suspicious person’ and vorlontsik ‘idler, loafer’, yet no convincing etymological explanation has emerged. This brief article explores, based on a wealth of background material, the possibility that these words originate from Russian.
For kabajantsik, the likely Russian loan source, in the author’s view, is the Pskov dialect word каба́щик (каба́ччик), cf. кабатчик meaning ‘innkeeper, tavern keeper’. The Votic word kabatšikk(a) ‘innkeeper’ also derives from the same source. vorlontsik is probably borrowed from a word family that includes the Russian dialect forms (from Pskov…
A data-intensive view on the emerging Estonian written language community, 1800–1940
Keywords: national bibliography, data-intensive humanities, Estonian national awakening, written language, book history
The Estonian National Bibliography aims to provide a comprehensive overview of all printed works published in Estonia, by Estonians, or about Estonians. Bibliographic data science has suggested that national bibliographies can be used to study cultural history using the tools of digital humanities. In this article, I explore the historical details surrounding the emergence of the Estonian written language community, with a focus on the mid- to late 19th century.
I introduce the Estonian National Bibliography as a data source and trace the emergence of the Estonian written language…
The Estonian National Bibliography aims to provide a comprehensive overview of all printed works published in Estonia, by Estonians, or about Estonians. Bibliographic data science has suggested that national bibliographies can be used to study cultural history using the tools of digital humanities. In this article, I explore the historical details surrounding the emergence of the Estonian written language community, with a focus on the mid- to late 19th century.
I introduce the Estonian National Bibliography as a data source and trace the emergence of the Estonian written language…
In the laboratory of utopian world reform
Keywords: modern history, constructed languages, international auxiliary language, Occidental/Interlingue, linguistic diversity, interlinguistics
The creator of one of the most successful planned languages of the first half of the 20th century, Occidental (today known as Interlingue), was Edgar von Wahl (or de Wahl), a teacher from Tallinn. His success story was far from inevitable, but the factors that made it possible have received little attention in the existing literature. This article seeks to fill this gap by analyzing these factors as well as Wahl’s contribution to the international auxiliary language movement. The article mainly discusses the activities of three organizations central to…
The creator of one of the most successful planned languages of the first half of the 20th century, Occidental (today known as Interlingue), was Edgar von Wahl (or de Wahl), a teacher from Tallinn. His success story was far from inevitable, but the factors that made it possible have received little attention in the existing literature. This article seeks to fill this gap by analyzing these factors as well as Wahl’s contribution to the international auxiliary language movement. The article mainly discusses the activities of three organizations central to…