altisteiksi

Altisteiksi is a Finnish linguistic term referring to the translative plural form of the noun altisti, which denotes an alto singer. In Finnish grammar, the translative case marks a change of state or designation, and altisteiksi specifically means “to become altos” or “as altos” for a group.

Etymology and form: The base altisti comes from alto (the voice range) with the agentive or descriptive suffix. The translative suffix -ksi marks becoming or designation, and in plural form the ending becomes -iksi, yielding altisteiksi. This form is primarily encountered in linguistic descriptions and in contexts where multiple people are being designated as altos.

Usage and examples: Altisteiksi is mostly seen in scholarly discussion of Finnish grammar or in administrative notes within choirs when parts are assigned or reassigned. Example: Kuoron jäseniä siirrettiin altisteiksi. Translation: The choir members were reassigned as altos. The term thus functions to express a collective change of voice part in a formal or descriptive setting.

See also: Finnish language, Finnish grammar, Transitive (translative) case, Alto (voice), Choir arrangement.