Keelenormid

Keelenormid are the agreed standards that define correct usage of a language in formal communication. They cover spelling, punctuation, grammar, word formation, and often style and vocabulary choices. Keelenormid provide the basis for education, journalism, publishing, and public administration, ensuring mutual intelligibility and a shared linguistic convention across speakers.

In Estonia, keelenormid are maintained by the Institute of the Estonian Language (Eesti Keele Instituut) together with language bodies such as the Emakeele Selts. The main normative resources include Eesti õigekeelsussõnaraamat, a comprehensive orthography dictionary, as well as grammar and style guides published by these institutions. These works prescribe standard forms for inflection, capitalization, punctuation, and the preferred use of neologisms and technical terms.

Normative work also addresses vocabulary usage, including the introduction and adaptation of loanwords, terminology, and new linguistic forms, reflecting changes in society and technology. The norms aim to balance tradition with modernization and to support high literacy levels and consistent public discourse.

Keelenormid are prescriptive in character but are informed by descriptive research on actual language use. Tensions can arise when everyday speech diverges from normative forms, sometimes prompting revisions to dictionaries or style guides and prompting public discussions about language change.

Historically, standard Estonian developed through education, literature, and media in the 19th and 20th centuries and continues to be updated to reflect linguistic change and sociocultural developments.