isolatingkieleksi
Isolatingkieleksi is a neologism used in linguistic discussions to describe the hypothetical process or outcome by which a language shifts toward an isolating, analytic typology. The term blends the idea of isolating languages with the Finnish word kieli (language) and the suffix -ksi, meaning “as” or “into.” It is not a universally standardized label, but a descriptive shorthand in speculative or theoretical contexts.
Definition and scope: An isolatingkieleksi scenario envisions a language whose words become predominantly monomorphemic, with minimal
Core characteristics: Key features include high reliance on separate function words, particles, or prepositions to signal
Development and context: Possible mechanisms proposed in theories of isolatingkieleksi include language contact, creolization or pidginization
Usage and critique: Some linguists view isolatingkieleksi as a useful heuristic for discussing shifts toward analytic