Palautumisnimenomaiset

Palautumisnimenomaiset is a term used in Finnish linguistics to describe a class of nominal forms that function as referential reinforcements in discourse, resuming reference to a previously mentioned entity without using a pronoun. The word combines palautuminen ('return, restoration') with nimenomaiset ('nominal forms'). The concept appears in discussions of how speakers maintain lexical cohesion across clause boundaries.

Morphology and syntax: Palautumisnimenomaiset are nominal expressions that are definite or determiner-marked and have a clear antecedent in the discourse. They may occupy positions where a pronoun could occur, but the nominal form preserves information about the referent’s identity or attributes. They interact with Finnish case and determiner systems and are often analyzed as a subtype of nominalization or as a discourse strategy.

Usage and function: The main function is to reintroduce or reaffirm a referent after ellipsis or a topic shift, contributing to cohesion. They are more common in formal or written Finnish and in narrative or expository texts than in casual speech, where pronouns are typical. Distribution varies by dialect and genre.

Relation to related concepts: They relate to anaphora and coreference and to nominalization and determiner use in Finnish. Some scholars treat them as a pragmatic label for a set of cohesive strategies rather than a strict grammatical category.

See also: Anaphora, Coreference, Nominalization, Finnish grammar.