Avosanoiksi

Avosanoiksi is a Finnish linguistic term used to describe the practice of rendering complex statements into plain, accessible language, often in journalism, public administration, and education. It emphasizes clarity and transparency and is closely related to the broader concept of selkokieli (plain language).

Etymology and scope: The name derives from avo- meaning open or plain, sana meaning word, and the suffix -ksi indicating transformation into. Thus, avosanoiksi literally means “into open words.” The term appears in Finnish-language discourse in the 2000s onward, primarily in blogs, media studies, and discussions on media literacy.

Definition and method: Avosanoiksi refers to actively rewriting, paraphrasing, or presenting content so that its essential meaning is understandable to a non-specialist audience while preserving factual content. It is distinct from mere simplification that may omit nuance; it seeks to balance accessibility with accuracy and often overlaps with selkokieli approaches.

Uses and examples: In practice, avosanoiksi may be used when a government press release is reformulated for non-experts, when media outlets create explainer materials, or when educators translate scholarly texts for students. Example: Original: “The policy introduces a risk-adjusted framework with non-linear dependencies.” Avosanoiksi: “The policy sets up a system that can adapt to risk and requires several parts to work together.”

See also: Selkokieli; Plain language; Public communication; Media literacy.