Pistelukuna

Pistelukuna is a term used in speculative linguistics and puzzle circles to describe a method of encoding textual information into sequences that resemble decimal numbers punctuated by dots. The word is a Finnish compound formed from piste, meaning dot or point, and lukuna, meaning "as a number" or "in numeric form," giving a rough translation "as a decimal number."

Core concept: Messages are transformed into numeric codes and then written as groups separated by dots. For example, letters might be assigned two-digit codes (A=01, B=02, ..., Z=26), with word boundaries indicated by a larger gap or a double dot. A sequence such as 01.23.20 could map to A W T depending on the chosen alphabet and grouping. Dots act solely as separators, not as decimal points in the mathematical sense, but the name plays on the visual resemblance to decimal notation.

Usage and context: Pistelukuna is described primarily in puzzle design, fan fiction, and informal discussions rather than in formal linguistics or cryptography. It is considered a niche encoding technique or a "decoding puzzle" trope, with many variants and no standardized rules.

Origins: The term appears in digital-era discussions in Finnish-language online communities in the 2010s and 2020s, often as a playful neologism rather than a rigorous method.

See also: cryptography, steganography, puzzle design, decimal notation.