Keelelisse

Keelelisse is a neologism used in Estonian linguistics to describe an approach that foregrounds immersion into language as a lived, social practice. The word combines keel, meaning language, with the allative suffix -lisse, indicating motion toward or into something. In this use, keelelisse denotes both a theoretical stance and a pedagogical method that treats language acquisition and use as inherently situated within culture, identity, and everyday interaction.

Definition and scope: Keelelisse emphasizes experiential engagement with language—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—through immersive environments and extended sociolinguistic contexts. In research, it serves as an umbrella for studies that integrate linguistic form with discourse, pragmatics, and sociocultural factors. In teaching, keelelisse-informed methods may include content-based instruction, language diaries, role-plays, and project work designed to exploit authentic language usage.

History and usage: The term began to appear in Estonian academic discourse in the mid-2010s and has since appeared mainly in Estonian-language journals and conference proceedings. It is not widely adopted in international scholarship, where related terms such as immersion pedagogy and experiential linguistics are more common.

Reception: Keelelisse is valued by some educators for offering a holistic framing that links linguistic structure with social practice; critics argue it risks vagueness or overlaps with established concepts.

See also: Immersion pedagogy; Sociolinguistics; Cognitive linguistics; Language education. The term remains primarily used within Estonian-language contexts, with limited international usage.