Viljeltäväsanan

Viljeltäväsanan is a Finnish term that translates to "cultivated word" or "domesticated word." It refers to a word that has become a regular and accepted part of the Finnish language, often through common usage, rather than being a recent neologism or a loanword that retains a foreign feel. The concept implies that the word has been "cultivated" by native speakers, becoming integrated into the linguistic landscape.

The process of a word becoming viljeltäväsana can be gradual. It might start as a slang term, a technical jargon word, or even a word borrowed from another language that, over time, loses its foreign characteristics and is adopted into the everyday lexicon. For a word to be considered viljeltäväsana, it typically needs to be understood and used by a significant portion of Finnish speakers and fit within the phonetic and grammatical patterns of the language.

Distinguishing between a viljeltäväsana and other types of words is not always clear-cut. New loanwords or neologisms are initially distinct, but with widespread use, they can eventually transition into being considered viljeltäväsana. Conversely, some words might remain in specialized use or retain a strong foreign association, preventing them from fully becoming domesticated. The term highlights the dynamic nature of language and how words evolve and become naturalized within a speech community.