vakaussanan
Vakaussanan is a term used in theoretical linguistics to describe a lexical item characterized by pronounced stability of form and core meaning across historical periods and dialects. In discussions of lexical stability, vakaussanan serves as a working label for words that show relatively little phonetic change and minimal semantic drift compared with surrounding vocabulary. The concept draws on the Finnish roots vakaus, meaning stability, and sana, meaning word, and is typically used as a heuristic rather than a formal typological category.
Origin and usage: The term emerged in academic discourse in the early 21st century among researchers examining
Definition and criteria: A vakaussanan is expected to maintain a relatively stable phonological shape, a stable
Examples and critique: Critics note that the term overlaps with established notions such as basic vocabulary,
See also: Core vocabulary, lexical stability, diachronic linguistics, language change.