hinnangulisi

Hinnangulisi is a term used in Estonian linguistics and discourse analysis to describe language that does not express explicit value judgments about a referent. The concept centers on neutrality in description, avoiding speaker-based approval or disapproval.

Etymology and scope: The word is built from hinnang meaning assessment or judgment, combined with a suffix form that yields an adjective indicating lack or absence of evaluation. In scholarly writings, hinnangulisi is used to label expressions, constructions, or discourse practices that aim to describe or categorize rather than to endorse or critique.

Definition and usage: Hinnangulisi forms include factual statements, classifications, and other non-interpretive devices that present information with minimal subjective interpretation. They are often contrasted with hinnanguline expressions, which explicitly convey the speaker’s positive or negative stance. Hinnangulisi use is common in scientific reporting, technical writing, and other contexts where objectivity is prioritized.

Relationship to stance and hedging: The concept overlaps with theories of stance-taking and hedging, as non-evaluative language can reduce commitment and avoid normative judgments. However, hinnangulisi specifically denotes a lack of evaluative stance rather than a general hedging strategy.

Terminology and status: The label hinnangulisi appears in some Estonian-language linguistics publications but is not universally standardized across all texts. Researchers may describe non-evaluative discourse using different terms, depending on methodological tradition and focus.

See also: evaluativity, hinnanguline, stance, hedging.