kohtelunä

Kohtelunä is a Finnish term used to describe the outward display of courtesy and social consideration in everyday interactions. The concept encompasses both verbal and nonverbal behavior, such as polite address, tone, listening, and adherence to social norms.

In sociolinguistics and social psychology, kohtelunä refers to signs of politeness that mediate social relations, reflect power dynamics, and help manage face-saving. It can vary by culture, context, and individual differences, influencing how people communicate and interpret one another's intentions.

Examples of kohtelunä include greeting rituals, appropriate forms of address, expressions of thanks and apologies, turn-taking, nonverbal cues like posture and eye contact, and tone of voice. The concept is often used to analyze how politeness is conveyed and received in different social settings.

Etymology and usage: The word is found in some Finnish academic and popular discussions about etiquette; its exact etymology is not standardized. It is sometimes discussed alongside other terms like kohteliaisuus (courtesy) and käytös (behavior), to capture the observable dimension of courteous conduct in social interaction.

See also: Etiquette, Politeness theory, Face-saving.