eikonkreettisissa

Eikonkreettisissa is a term used in Finnish linguistic and rhetorical discussions to describe language that avoids concrete imagery and sensory detail, instead focusing on abstract concepts and general principles. It is not a widely standardized label, but appears in scholarly writing as a descriptive category for abstraction in language.

Etymology: The word combines ei (not) and konkreettinen (concrete). Konkreettisissa is the inessive plural of konkreettinen, meaning in concrete terms. Thus eikonkreettisissa literally means in not-concrete terms or in abstract terms.

Usage and contexts: The term is used in analyses of prose, political rhetoric, and philosophy to mark passages that refrain from specifics and favor broad claims or norms. It is often discussed alongside abstrakti kieli (abstract language) and yleiskielisyys.

Examples: A critique may say a proposal is presented eikonkreettisissa, using terms like justice or freedom without naming programs.

Distinguishing features: It emphasizes abstraction over sensory detail. This can aid logical argument but risks vagueness and reduced clarity.

Limitations: The label is informal and context-dependent; its value depends on clarity about what counts as abstract.

See also: abstrakti kieli, konkreettinen kieli, retoriikka, semantiikka.