The HelSINki group seeks to trace the development path to illustrate the layered semiotic processes that has led Finnish society to construct Helsinki s. In exploring the indexicalisation process of this folk notion, the research team focuses in particular on the origins and the circumstances under which /s/ pronunciation started to gain social recognition in Finnish society.
Research focus and goals
Our earlier research concluded that there is a strong symbolic relationship between Helsinki as a place and the non-standard /s/ pronunciation. The mythical notion of Helsinki s has become a folk linguistic fact although it lacks a clear linguistic correlate or even status as a linguistic fact.
The present project continues from the project Helsinki as a semiotic landscape in the linguistic ideologies of the Finns (Vaattovaara's subproject in: Helsinki Finnish - diversity, social identity and linguistic attitudes in an urban context, Academy of Finland 2009-2012 / PI Marja-Leena Sorjonen)
The aim of the research group is to publish a multidisciplinary book to bring forth a wider understanding of the development of Helsinki s as an ideological construct.
The book includes original research. The Publication contract is made with ArtHouse for 2020. The manuscript will be submitted for peer review during the fall 2019.
Other members
Mia Halonen (JYU), Samu Nyström (HY), Heikki Paunonen (Emeritus, TAU), Johanna Vaattovaara (TAU).
Contact persons
Johanna Vaattovaara
Associate professor
johanna.vaattovaara [at] tuni.fi
+358 50 437 7056