kõnelus

Kõnelus is an Estonian noun that denotes speech or the act of speaking. It can refer to spoken language in general, the content of what is said, or the practice of conversing.

Etymology and form: The term is built from kõne "speech" with the abstract noun suffix -lus; it is related to the verb kõnelda "to speak."

Linguistic use: In Estonian linguistics, kõnelus is used to distinguish spoken language from kirjakeel (written language). It encompasses phonology, prosody, syntax, and vocabulary characteristic of everyday speech and informal registers.

Sociolinguistic and educational use: The concept is used in studies of speech communities and conversational styles; in education, kõnelus is often discussed as part of oral language proficiency and communication skills.

Culture and media: The term appears in discussions of dialogue in literature, oral history projects, and media discourse, where speaking styles, turn-taking, and discourse markers are analyzed.