Kasutuskeelekasuta

Kasutuskeelekasuta is a term used in linguistic discussions to describe the practice of studying and applying language as it is used in everyday communication. The concept emphasizes practical usage over prescriptive rules, focusing on how speakers convey meaning in real contexts.

The word is formed from Estonian morphemes kasutus (usage), keel (language), and kasuta (use), reflecting its emphasis on usage-driven language practice.

In its scope, Kasutuskeelekasuta refers to using language as a tool in real-life settings, accounting for variation, context, register, and speaker intention. Researchers examine how lexical choices, syntax, and discourse patterns emerge in actual speech and writing.

Analyses typically rely on corpora, field observations, and experimental data about how people use language in social situations. The approach contrasts with prescriptive grammar and some theory-focused traditions by prioritizing observed usage.

Applications include language education, where the concept informs curricula that reflect contemporary usage; computational linguistics, where it guides data-driven language models to better reflect real-world language; and lexicography and media, where it shapes documentation and style guidelines.

For example, everyday Estonian often includes casual constructions and loanwords in informal settings that differ from formal registers; patterns like these are central to the concept.

Related concepts include usage-based linguistics, corpus linguistics, sociolinguistics, and pragmatics.