Keelenägemine

Keelenägemine, sometimes translated as "language vision" or "linguistic intuition," refers to an individual's subconscious ability to understand and use a language without formal instruction or explicit knowledge of its grammatical rules. It is a natural, intuitive grasp of how a language works, allowing speakers to produce and comprehend grammatically correct sentences, even if they cannot articulate the underlying principles. This phenomenon is most commonly observed in native speakers who acquire their first language through immersion and interaction.

The concept suggests that humans possess an innate capacity for language acquisition, a "language acquisition device" as proposed by Noam Chomsky. Keelenägemine operates on this innate faculty, enabling the effortless processing of linguistic input. It allows individuals to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable sentences, to infer meaning from context, and to generate novel utterances that are nevertheless comprehensible to other speakers of the same language. While explicit linguistic knowledge can be learned and analyzed, keelenägemine represents the fluid, often unexamined, command of language that characterizes fluent speakers. This intuitive understanding is crucial for natural communication, allowing for spontaneity and adaptability in language use. It is distinct from learned knowledge, which might involve memorizing rules and exceptions, and instead reflects a deep-seated, internalized system of linguistic competence.