Perinnekseen

Perinnekseen is a term used in Finnish linguistic and cultural studies to describe the stance or rhetorical device of invoking tradition as a normative reference. The form is built from perinne, meaning tradition, and the suffix -kseen, which in this analytic context signals alignment with or movement toward a stated tradition. In scholarly discussions, perinnekseen denotes how individuals or groups frame actions, policies, or values as being guided by customary practices, even when these practices are contested or evolving.

The concept is descriptive rather than prescriptive and does not correspond to a single grammatical category. It is employed to analyze discourse in areas such as education, heritage politics, and community life, where tradition is used to legitimize decisions or resist change. Perinnekseen can occur when arguments appeal to continuity with past forms, rites, or social norms, or when institutions frame reforms as faithful extensions of tradition.

Critically, the term highlights tension between innovation and continuity in cultural identity. Researchers may examine how perinnekseen rhetoric affects policy legitimacy, public trust, and intergenerational transmission of values. While not universally standardized, the notion of perinnekseen provides a lens for examining tradition-centered reasoning in Finnish public discourse.

See also: tradition, cultural heritage, Finnish language, discourse analysis.