arviointikielessä

Arviointikieli, often rendered in English as “assessment language,” refers to the specialized vocabulary and discourse patterns that arise in contexts of evaluation, grading, and feedback. The term originated in Finnish educational research in the late 1990s and has since been studied by sociolinguists, educators, and psychologists in Finland and other Nordic countries. Its primary function is to structure and legitimize the act of judging student performance, providing both a shared code for teachers and a communicative strategy for learners.

In practice, arviointikieli manifests through explicit grading scales (e.g., “osoittaa punaisen alla” or “täydellinen”), performance descriptors (“hehkuu, taso kohoaa, puutteellista”) and normative statements (“täydellinen on oletus”). These linguistic features operate on multiple levels: at the level of discourse by framing the task as evaluable, at the level of interpersonal interaction by regulating the teacher–student relationship, and at the level of identity by signalling competence or lack thereof. Researchers have identified three core functions: legitimizing (claiming fairness and objectivity), informing (explaining criteria and expectations), and motivating (encouraging improvement).

The study of arviointikieli has revealed that it can shape self‑concepts and learning strategies. For instance, language that emphasizes process ("kiinnosta oppimiskohta") fosters a growth mindset, whereas language that focuses strictly on outcome (“lisää luokitusta”) can reduce student motivation. National educational policy documents increasingly recommend explicitly trained teachers to use transparent, learner‑centered assessment language.

Current debates focus on the balance between standardized assessment demands—often expressed in rigid, quantitative language—and the need for qualitative, individualized feedback. Comparative research suggests that when teachers blend formal grading scales with narrative comments that acknowledge effort, students report higher satisfaction and clearer guidance. Thus, arviointikieli remains a dynamic field that intersects language policy, pedagogy, and educational psychology.