Muutusel

Muutusel is a term used in Estonian linguistic literature to denote a state or process of ongoing change. It is formed from the noun muutus, meaning "change," with the locative suffix -sel, which in Estonian typically marks location or state, yielding roughly "at the change" or "in the state of change." In analysis, muutusel is employed as a label for phenomena where a form or meaning is in flux, such as semantic shift, morphosyntactic reanalysis, or sociolinguistic transformation.

The term is not part of standard Estonian vocabulary you would find in general dictionaries, but it appears in metalinguistic discussions and typologies of linguistic change. It is typically used in theoretical contexts rather than in everyday language. When used, it serves as a shorthand for describing processes in which linguistic elements are temporarily unstable or in transition before reaching a new equilibrium.

Because muutusel is a niche scholarly term, there is no fixed set of canonical definitions, and its usage can vary between researchers. It is related to the broader concept of change (muutus) and to discussions of linguistic evolution, language contact, and grammaticalization. Related topics include muutus, muutumine, keele muutumine, and broader studies of linguistic change.