Keelekorraldust

Keelekorraldust, or language management, is the field that deals with the planning, regulation, and promotion of a language within a society. It encompasses the organized activities that aim to influence how a language is used, taught, standardized, and developed over time. The goal is to ensure clear communication, language rights, and the healthy growth of linguistic resources while reflecting social needs and cultural identities.

Key components of keelekorraldust include standardization of orthography and grammar, development and maintenance of core terminology for various domains (such as law, science, technology, and administration), and the promotion of language use in education, media, public services, and government. It also covers efforts to support language learning, preserve minority or regional languages, and facilitate translation and localization for digital platforms.

The processes typically involve policy design and implementation, normative acts or guidelines, and ongoing evaluation. Language councils, academies, or similar bodies may issue standards and recommendations; terminology databases and corpora support consistent usage; and educational curricula or official communications help disseminate norms. Digitalization and globalization have intensified keelekorraldust activities, including terminology harmonization for new technologies and ensuring accessible online services.

Stakeholders include government ministries and public agencies, language academies or regulatory bodies, universities and research institutes, and cultural or community organizations. While keelekorraldust aims to support intelligibility, education, and cultural heritage, it also faces challenges such as balancing standardization with linguistic variation, protecting minority language rights, and adapting to rapid technological change.