Õigekirjaliselt

Õigekirjaliselt is the Estonian adverb meaning “orthographically” or “in terms of correct spelling.” It describes a word, phrase, or text that conforms to the standard Estonian orthography as defined by official language guidelines. The term is commonly used in editing, linguistics, and education to distinguish correctly spelled forms from nonstandard spellings.

Usage and meaning: Õigekirjaliselt is used to indicate that spelling adheres to the normative rules of Estonian orthography, including the use of diacritics, letter case, and standard word forms. It often appears in proofreading, language instruction, and scholarly commentary to emphasize spelling accuracy. For example, a statement might assert that a word is written õigekirjaliselt korrektne, meaning it is orthographically correct.

Standards and authorities: The normative basis for what counts as õigekirjaliselt is the Estonian orthography system. This system is maintained and updated by language institutions and reflected in official guidelines and reference works, such as the Estonian orthography rules and authoritative dictionaries. Editors, teachers, and software spell-checkers rely on these standards to judge orthographic correctness.

Relation to language practice: While õige grammar and style are separate concerns, õigekirjaliselt focuses specifically on spelling quality. It is a key concept in ensuring clarity and consistency in written Estonian, particularly in formal texts, educational materials, and published works.