Epälukukelpoiselta

Epälukukelpoiselta is a Finnish term used in linguistic and archival contexts to denote a source or text that is unreadable or illegible. The term functions as an attributive descriptor and can be applied to manuscripts, inscriptions, or digital records where the original content cannot be read with confidence. In cataloging and analysis, epälukukelpoiselta signals that the text itself cannot be transcribed accurately, and any interpretation should be treated with caution.

Etymology and form: The word is built from epä- (not), lukukelpoisa (readable) and the elative suffix -elta, used to indicate origin or source (“from”). Hence epälukukelpoiselta literally means “from an unreadable source.” The adjective is related to lukukelpoisuus (readability) and lukukelpoisa (readable), and follows Finnish patterns for forming source-based descriptors.

Usage and examples: In Finnish archival catalogs, epälukukelpoiselta may be used to label a fragment where most of the text is illegible. Example (Finnish): Lähde on merkitty epälukukelpoiselta, jolloin tekstin sisältö on epäluettavaa. Translation: The source is marked epälukukelpoiselta, indicating that the content is illegible. Another example could be a note attached to a digitized image: epälukukelpoiselta kuvalta löytyy vain noin paljon luettavaa tekstiä, jolloin kokonaismerkitys on epävarma. Translation: From an unreadable image, only a portion of the text is readable, so the overall meaning is uncertain.

See also: lukukelpoisuus (readability), epäluettavuus (illegibility), lähdeviite (source reference). Epälukukelpoiselta is a specialized, relatively rare descriptor, primarily found in academic or archival writing rather than everyday language.