Epästandardeja

Epästandardeja is Finnish for “non-standards” and is used in linguistics to refer to language forms that do not conform to standard Finnish. The term is the partitive plural of epästandardi, formed with the prefix epä- meaning “non-” and standari, meaning “standard.”

Practically, epästandardeja encompasses variations in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary that are not described as standard Finnish. These forms often arise from regional dialects, sociolects, or casual speech, and include features such as alternative verb forms, different pronouns, or colloquial expressions. They are usually regionally or socially marked and can change over time as language evolves.

In language planning and education, Standard Finnish is the norm taught in schools and used in official contexts; epästandardeja appears in daily life, media, or literature to convey character, informality, or local identity. The existence of epästandardeja is not inherently wrong; it reflects sociolinguistic variation and language change rather than a simple deficiency.

Attitudes toward epästandardeja vary. Some view it as valuable linguistic diversity, while others see it as a barrier in formal settings. Researchers study how speakers switch between standard and nonstandard forms, and how such forms spread, recede, or influence the development of new varieties.

See also: Standard Finnish, dialect, slang, sociolinguistics.