Isesõnaline

Isesõnaline is a term used in Estonian linguistics to describe a word or a use of a word that can function as a complete utterance in discourse, or that carries a self-contained meaning without requiring additional words. The exact scope of the term varies among authors, but it is commonly linked to words that stand independently as sentences or convey a full pragmatic force in context.

Etymology and sense

The compound consists of ise (“self”) and sõnaline (“relating to a word”). In analyses, isesõnaline often denotes either a one-word sentence (one-word utterance) or a word form with a highly autonomous function in conversation. Some scholars emphasize the pragmatic aspect, noting that isesõnaline items can perform speech acts such as greeting, acknowledgment, or reaction with minimal syntactic support.

Usage and examples

In everyday Estonian, several one-word items demonstrate isesõnaline use: interjections and short replies like tere (hello), aitäh (thank you), jah (yes), ei (no), oi (oh). These words can fulfill the role of a complete utterance depending on intonation, context, and discourse requirements. In addition to interjections, certain exclamations or set phrases may be analyzed as isesõnaline in specific communicative situations.

Relation to other concepts

Isesõnaline is often discussed in relation to one-word sentences (monosentential utterances) and to the category of interjections. It sits at the intersection of syntax and discourse pragmatics, highlighting how a single word can perform a communicative function without additional grammatical material.

See also

One-word sentence, interjection, monosentential utterance, Estonian syntax.

Notes

The term isesõnaline is primarily used in stylistic and discourse-analytic contexts, and its precise boundaries may differ among linguistic works.