sanonnalla

Sanonnalla is the adessive singular form of the Finnish noun sanonta, meaning proverb or saying. In Finnish grammar, sanonnalla is used to indicate the instrument, source, or context of a statement, and it is commonly encountered in discussions of proverbs or in rhetorical writing where a proverb is cited as evidence or illustration.

Originating from the base sanonta plus the adessive suffix -lla, sanonnalla marks the means by which something is done or the reference source for a statement. The term is part of standard Finnish and is distinct from other forms of sanonta, such as sanonta (nominative) or sanonnan (genitive).

Usage in practice centers on indicating that a claim or point is supported by or derived from a proverb. It is often used with verbs that express reference or justification. For example: Sanonnalla voidaan perustella väite. (A proverb can be used to justify a claim.) Sanonnalla viitataan usein vanhoihin sananlaskuihin. (A proverb is often referred to as a source in old sayings.)

Related terms include sanonta and sananlasku, both of which refer to traditional expressions, though sanonnalla specifically denotes the instrumental or referential role of the proverb in a sentence. In linguistic discussions, sanonnalla helps pinpoint how proverbs function as rhetorical devices or sources within Finnish discourse.