keelelistes

Keelelistes is a term used in linguistic literature to denote standardized word lists compiled for cross-language comparison. In practice, keelelistes function similarly to classic lists such as the Swadesh lists, aiming to provide a core vocabulary set that is relatively stable over time and across related languages, facilitating lexical comparison and historical inference.

Etymology and scope: The term appears to be built from Estonian keel meaning "language" and liste, a loanword for "list." In Estonian-language linguistic writing, keelelistes may refer to catalogues of core vocabulary used in research on Baltic, Finnic, or other language groups, though the exact usage can vary by project.

Applications: Keelelistes are used in lexicostatistics, lexicography, and typology to quantify lexical retention, track borrowings, and estimate language relatedness. Researchers compile lists for individual languages or for language families and compare item-level correspondences across languages.

Methodology: Items are selected for semantic stability, cross-linguistic intelligibility, and ease of elicitation. Data are drawn from field interviews, word lists, and corpora. Results support cross-language comparisons, reconstruction work, and documentation.

Limitations: A core vocabulary list may not capture all aspects of lexical change, particularly in highly contact-driven regions. Some languages may lack transparent cognates for certain items, and cultural specificity can affect item selection. Adaptations are common for different language groups.

See also: Swadesh list, lexical typology, cognate.