Förstertype

Förstertype is a Swedish term used in some disciplines to denote the primary or original category within a typological framework. The word combines första (first) and typ (type). Because it is not a standardized technical term across fields, its exact meaning depends on the context.

In linguistics and lexicography, förstertype may refer to the most representative or canonical instance in a set of related forms, serving as a prototype for comparison with other variants. In biology or taxonomy, it can denote the original or most characteristic member of a group, sometimes aligned with the notion of a type specimen. In information science or data classification, the term may be used informally to describe the default or reference type used for initial categorization.

The concept is inherently context-dependent, and some disciplines do not use the term at all, or reserve it for a more specific notion such as prototype or primary type. Therefore, when encountering förstertype in text, readers should look for a precise definition within that work, including what set of types is being considered and what role the first type plays in the analysis.

See also: prototype, typology, reference type.