A study by researchers at the University of Tartu found that many Estonians are annoyed by the use of foreign words in their language, particularly from English and Russian.
Researchers at the University of Tartu conducted a study to understand what aspects of language usage disturb Estonians the most. They found that a significant portion of respondents pointed to vocabulary issues, specifically the use of foreign words and expressions. Well over a third of the survey participants mentioned vocabulary as a particular area of concern. The researchers observed that language-related topics tend to create strong opinions and debates in both journalism and social media, prompting them to delve deeper into the public's perceptions of language use.
According to Maarja-Liisa Pilvik, a researcher in Estonian language at the University of Tartu, over 250 respondents reported more than 1,100 instances of language use that annoyed them, categorizing their irritations on a scale from 'not annoying at all' to 'very annoying'. The most frequently cited issues were related to vocabulary, predominantly concerning foreign expressions, especially those derived from English, but also from Russian. Respondents mentioned frustrations with the adaptation of foreign words into Estonian, using examples like "okei" and "deit" to illustrate their points.
This research highlights a growing concern among Estonians regarding the integrity of their language amidst increasing globalization and the influence of foreign languages. As languages evolve, the study reflects a desire among speakers to maintain the uniqueness of the Estonian language while navigating the challenges posed by linguistic borrowing and the impact of global cultural trends.
