translatiivina

Translatiivina is a grammatical concept used in Finno-Ugric linguistics to describe the translative function in languages such as Finnish. The translative expresses a change of state or condition—roughly, becoming into something. In Finnish, this function is typically realized with the translative case, most often forming phrases that mean “into a …” or “into becoming a …” by adding the suffix -ksi to a noun or adjective stem (for example, opettajaksi “into a teacher,” kriisiksi “into a crisis”).

In usage, translatiivina covers situations where the subject undergoes a transition to a new role, state, or condition. It contrasts with the essive case (which denotes “as” or “in the capacity of”) and with other cases that mark location or manner. The translative is especially common with verbs of becoming or changing form, such as those expressing conversion, development, or identification with a new state.

Common examples illustrate the meaning: muuttua opettajaksi (to become a teacher), vä Linea kriisiksi (to become a crisis). These forms show how Finnish marks the endpoint of a transformation rather than a static role, which is typically expressed by the essive case.

Linguists distinguish translatiivina from related cases by its semantic focus on change and into-ness, rather than ongoing state or role. The concept is part of broader discussions of case systems in Finnish and other Finnic languages.

See also: translatiivinen (translative), essive case, Finnish grammar, case system.