Lisäkirjaimet

Lisäkirjaimet, meaning "additional letters" in Finnish, refers to letters or letter combinations that are not part of the standard Finnish alphabet but are sometimes used in Finnish texts. These often appear in loanwords or in specific contexts where standard Finnish orthography might not fully capture a pronunciation. The most common lisäkirjaimet are those found in other Germanic languages, such as 'å', 'q', 'w', 'x', and 'z'.

The letter 'å' is primarily used in Swedish loanwords and place names, such as Åbo (the Swedish name for Turku). While not officially part of the Finnish alphabet, it is recognized and understood in contexts where Swedish influence is present. Letters like 'q', 'w', 'x', and 'z' are typically found in international loanwords, scientific terms, or proper names. For instance, 'q' might appear in 'quiz' or 'quota', 'w' in 'web' or 'whisky', 'x' in 'xylitol' or 'x-ray', and 'z' in 'pizza' or 'zebra'.

The use of these additional letters is generally limited to ensuring accurate representation of foreign words or names. In everyday Finnish, the standard alphabet consisting of the letters A–Z (with ä and ö) is sufficient for most communication. The concept of lisäkirjaimet highlights the dynamic nature of language and its adaptation to accommodate external influences, particularly in a globalized world.