mittetegelikku

Mittetegelikku is an Estonian term used to describe phenomena, representations, or experiences that are presented as real but are not actual reality. In Estonian discourse, the word functions to distinguish what a viewer or participant perceives within a work from the objective state of the external world. It is commonly employed in discussions of art, literature, film, digital media, and philosophy to analyze the status of imagined or simulated environments.

Etymology and form: the term is formed from mitt- (a negation prefix) combined with tegelikkus (reality), with the suffix -ku used to create an attributive adjective. Its exact grammatical form can vary with grammatical case and number, but it generally conveys the notion of “not real” or “non-reality.”

Usage: mittetegelikku is used to describe fictional worlds, simulations, or stage illusions that function as though real for audiences, even though their reality is constructed or absent. It can apply to cinematic or literary worlds, computer-generated environments, immersive theater, and other semi-real experiences. In philosophical or media-analytic contexts, the concept helps discuss the boundary between representation and reality, as well as the persuasive effects of simulations and imagined scenarios.

Relation to other terms: mittetegelikku sits between tegelikkus (reality) and fiktsioon (fiction) or virtuaalsus (virtuality), and is often discussed alongside concepts like hyperreality and simulation theory to examine how representations acquire felt realness.

Notes: the term is relatively specialized and chiefly encountered in Estonian-language discourse on aesthetics, media studies, and philosophy. Its usage is descriptive rather than prescriptive, aiming to articulate how non-real elements function within perceived realities.