standardikielenä

Standardikielenä is a Finnish term that translates to "as a standard language." It refers to the codified and widely accepted form of a language, used in official contexts, education, media, and formal communication. This standard form is typically established through dictionaries, grammars, and style guides, and it serves as a unifying element within a language community.

The development of a standardikielenä often involves selecting a particular dialect or a combination of dialects as the basis, which is then standardized through formalization. This process aims to ensure clarity, consistency, and mutual intelligibility across different regions and social groups. While the standard language is promoted, regional dialects and variations often continue to exist and are valued for their cultural and linguistic diversity.

In Finland, the standard Finnish language (yleiskieli) is based on the spoken language of the educated urban population of the 19th century. It is distinct from spoken dialects, though the gap has narrowed over time due to increased mobility and media influence. The concept of standardikielenä is crucial for understanding language use and policy in Finland, highlighting the importance of a common linguistic norm while acknowledging the richness of linguistic variation.