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In:Handbook of Terminology: Volume 4. Terminology planning in Europe
Edited by Rossella Resi and Frieda Steurs
[Handbook of Terminology 4] 2025
► pp. 76–93

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Terminology planning from term-smithing to supporting interoperability

The Finnish case

 | University of Vaasa
Published online: 26 September 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/hot.4.ter14
Abstract
The conscious planning of the Finnish language and terminologies began in the 1800s as a central part of building national identity. A standard language and uniform rules for writing were agreed upon. Educated individuals — “wordsmiths” and “term-smiths” — and professional societies took this challenge enthusiastically and coined words and terms for all sectors of society. Today, the Centre for the Languages of Finland is the authority on language planning, while the Finnish Terminology Centre has the expert role in terminology planning. Terminology work is decentralized and often carried out by working groups in institutions, associations, government agencies, etc. Their goals include keeping the Finnish language and terminologies easy to use, learn and understand — not forgetting the needs of information systems.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Early language planning
    • 2.1Status change: From spoken dialects to a national language
    • 2.2Vocabulary development by individual wordsmiths
    • 2.3Terminology development by professional and scientific societies
    • 2.4The first language planning organizations
  • 3.Language and terminology planning today
    • 3.1Institute for the Languages of Finland
    • 3.2The Finnish Terminology Centre
    • 3.3Other organizations, projects and terminological infrastructure
  • 4.Terminological working methods
    • 4.1Characteristics of the terminological working methods
    • 4.2Term formation and loanwords
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
References (44)
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