Perusteoriimana

Perusteoriimana is a Finnish linguistic and scholarly term used to indicate that a given theory is being treated as the foundational or basic theory for a discussion or analysis. The phrase is formed from the noun perusteoria (basic theory) and the essive case suffix -na, which in Finnish expresses a role or state, roughly translating to “as a basic theory.” In this usage, perusteoriimana signals that the indicated theory serves as the starting point or framework for the work.

In practice, perusteoriimana functions as a framing device in academic writing. It is common to introduce a foundational theory with a statement such as “Perusteoriimana voidaan pitää X,” meaning “As a basic theory, X can be regarded as…” or to describe a model or approach that operates as the essential theoretical lens. The construction is primarily a grammatical tool, not a separate theoretical concept, and its exact placement and nuance depend on the discipline and context.

Relation to other expressions is mainly stylistic. Alternatives include rendering the sense in English as “as a foundational theory” or using phrases like “perusta-teoriaan pohjautuva” or “perusteoreettinen,” which carry slightly different implications. The essive form perusteoriimana emphasizes the current role of the theory within the given argument rather than claiming it as an absolute, timeless foundation.

Etymology and grammar: the term combines perus- (base/fundamental) and teoria (theory) with the Finnish essive suffix -na/-nä, which denotes “in the capacity of” or “as.” This pattern is common in Finnish for marking roles or states within discourse.

See also: Finnish grammar, essive case, theory in philosophy and science, foundational approaches.