võõrkeelseks

Võõrkeelseks is the translative form of the Estonian noun võõrkeel, meaning “foreign language.” It is used to express a transformation into a foreign language or a state described as being in a foreign language. In Estonian grammar, translative is the case that marks change of state or the result of an action, often translated into English as “into” or “as.” The form võõrkeelseks is formed from the stem võõrkeel with the translative suffix -seks, yielding võõrkeelseks.

Common uses include constructions with verbs of becoming or changing, such as muutma (to change) or tõlkima (to translate). For example, Tekst muutus võõrkeelseks means “The text became a foreign language (i.e., was rendered into a foreign language).” Another example is Raamat on võõrkeelseks tõlgitud, meaning “The book has been translated into a foreign language.” In everyday language, speakers may instead use phrases like tõlgitud võõrkeelde (translated into foreign languages) to avoid the translative form.

Etymology of võõrkeelseks traces to võõrkeel, a compound of võõr- (foreign) and keel (language). The translative form signals the result of an act, such as translation or adaptation, rather than the act itself.

See also: Estonian translative case, Estonian grammar, võõrkeel (foreign language).