Õigekeelsuses

Õigekeelsuses meaning refers to the standard norms of Estonian orthography and usage. It covers correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, and preferred word forms according to established rules. In practice, Õigekeelsuses guides writers, editors, teachers and publishers to produce texts that conform to a shared standard, enabling clear communication across dialects and registers.

Norms are codified in reference works such as the Õigekeelsussõnaraamat (the Orthography Dictionary) and supported by official style guides. The main authorities responsible for standardization include the Estonian Language Institute and the Mother Tongue Society, which publish updates and decisions on changes in spelling and usage. These resources address issues such as the domestication of foreign loanwords, treatment of proper names, punctuation practices, capitalization, and the formation and separation of compound words.

Õigekeelsuses interacts with language policy and education: schools teach the rules as part of Estonian language curricula, media strive for consistency in public communication, and digital tools such as spell checkers implement the norms. The standard has evolved over time in response to language contact, technological change, and shifts in everyday usage, while maintaining a core set of rules that distinguish standard Estonian from regional or informal varieties.

In contemporary usage, Õigekeelsuses serves as a reference point for linguistic clarity and language planning, balancing prescriptive guidelines with descriptive observations of actual language use. It remains a living framework, regularly updated to reflect changes in speech and writing.