korvaavista

Korvaavista is a term used in some Finnish-language discussions of media theory and speculative fiction to denote a mode of communication in which auditory content carries primary narrative weight, prompting listeners to construct visual imagery mentally. The term is a coined neologism, formed from the Finnish korva meaning “ear” and a suffix implying perception or vision, and is not, in standard Finnish, a fixed dictionary entry.

In practice, korvaavista describes works where sound design, narration, and dialogue supply rich cues that audiences translate into imagined scenes, environments, and actions—even when no images are shown. Proponents argue that it foregrounds listener agency and imaginative participation, while critics worry about accessibility or unequal visualization among diverse listeners.

Contexts include podcast storytelling, radio drama, and media-studies discussions that explore how audio alone can evoke visually rich experiences. Related topics include psychoacoustics, immersive audio, and imaginal perception.

Origin and use: The term emerged in Finnish online discourse and niche academic writing during the early 2020s, particularly among researchers examining audio-centric storytelling and the aesthetics of listening. It remains a specialized concept without formal standardization or broad usage in mainstream publishing.