standardsõnavaras

Standardsõnavaras is a term used in Estonian language policy to denote a standardized core vocabulary that forms the normative foundation of standard Estonian. It comprises high-frequency, widely used words across everyday and public life, selected to support clear, consistent expression in official texts, education, media, and public services.

Purpose and scope: The aim is to provide a common linguistic toolkit for writers, teachers, translators, and language planners. The list emphasizes core function words, pronouns, basic nouns and verbs, adjectives, adverbs, numerals, and commonly used phrases, while also outlining preferred spellings and inflection patterns. It is designed to complement, not replace, domain-specific terminologies (legal, medical, IT, science, etc.).

Management and updates: Standard vocabulary is typically maintained by language authorities or national language institutions. It evolves through monitoring of contemporary usage, scholarly research, and public consultation, with neologisms and borrowings added if they gain widespread acceptance and align with orthography and grammar rules.

Relationship to other resources and usage: The standards inform and are informed by other linguistic resources such as the orthographic dictionary Õigekeelsussõnaraamat and various terminological glossaries. They guide education, publishing, translation, and standardized communication in government and public services.

Limitations and debates: While promoting consistency, standard vocabulary must balance stability with linguistic change and regional variation; overreliance risks marginalizing minority registers or new forms.

See also: Estonian language policy, orthography, terminology, Eesti Keele Instituut.