Kaasavuse

Kaasavuse is a concept in sociolinguistics and urban anthropology that describes the state or quality of co-presence among diverse linguistic and cultural groups within a shared social space. It emphasizes mutual influence, inclusive practices, and the emergence of common public life from everyday interactions rather than formal institutions alone.

The term combines the root kaas-, meaning "together" or "along with" in Estonian, with the suffix -use to form an abstract noun. This reflects a focus on process and condition rather than a fixed artifact, highlighting how social environments enable or constrain cross-group encounters.

Though the idea predates the label, kaasavuse began to appear in scholarly discussions in the early 2010s, notably in studies of multilingual neighborhoods in Northern Europe. It was proposed as an alternative to concepts such as coexistence or integration that frame interaction as a one-way process, instead foregrounding mutual shaping and everyday collaboration.

Researchers examine kaasavuse through various lenses, including urban spaces (markets, schools, transit), policies (language access, inclusive curricula), and social practices (language choices, shared rituals). Indicators often cited include the frequency of cross-cultural encounters, the permeability of social boundaries, and residents’ sense of belonging within the shared space.

Critics argue that kaasavuse can risk idealization or obscure underlying power dynamics and inequalities. Measuring kaasavuse also presents methodological challenges, given its fluid and context-dependent nature. Nevertheless, kaasavuse remains a useful lens for analyzing how diverse communities create durable, inclusive public life through everyday interactions and shared practices.