Understanding the Impersonal Voice in Estonian
The impersonal voice in Estonian, sometimes referred to as the impersonal or passive construction, is a way of expressing actions without indicating a clear subject. This means that the focus is on the action itself rather than on who is performing it. In English, this is somewhat similar to saying “it is said” or “one should do,” but Estonian has a distinct grammatical approach to achieve this.
How is the Impersonal Voice Formed?
In Estonian, the impersonal voice is usually created by modifying the verb. For present and past tenses, the impersonal form is typically made by adding the suffix -takse for the present tense and -ti for the past tense to the verb stem. Let’s look at a few examples:
- Present tense: “räägitakse” (it is spoken / people speak)
- Past tense: “räägiti” (it was spoken / people spoke)
Notice how the subject is left undefined; it could be anyone or everyone. The context usually clarifies the meaning, but the form itself is purposefully vague.
Why Use the Impersonal Voice?
There are several reasons why Estonian speakers use the impersonal voice:
- Generalizations: To make statements that apply broadly, such as “In Estonia, it is believed…” (Eestis usutakse…)
- Instructions: When giving directions or instructions, e.g., “The door is opened by pushing” (Uks avatakse lükates).
- Politeness: To avoid directly naming the person responsible for an action, which can soften the tone of the statement.
Comparing the Impersonal Voice with the Passive Voice
Although the impersonal and passive voices serve similar purposes by de-emphasizing the subject, they are not the same in Estonian. The passive voice in English (“The book was read”) usually has a clear grammatical subject (the book), whereas the Estonian impersonal form often omits a subject entirely. This leads to more abstract or general statements.
Examples of the Impersonal Voice in Everyday Estonian
- “Siin ei suitsetata.” – Smoking is not allowed here. (Literally: “Here not smoked.”)
- “Kaupa müüakse turul.” – Goods are sold at the market.
- “Sellest räägitakse palju.” – This is talked about a lot.
These examples show how the impersonal voice is used to make neutral, general statements that apply to everyone, rather than singling out an individual.
Tips for Learning and Using the Impersonal Voice
- Practice with Context: The impersonal voice is common in news, instructions, and general statements. Listen for it in Estonian media and try to mimic its usage.
- Memorize Common Endings: Remember the suffixes -takse and -ti for present and past tense forms. Create flashcards or use language learning platforms like Talkpal to reinforce these patterns.
- Try Translating: Take simple sentences from your native language and try to express them using the Estonian impersonal form to get comfortable with the structure.
Conclusion
The impersonal voice is a distinctive and practical feature of Estonian grammar. It enables speakers to communicate ideas in a neutral, general, or polite manner, making it essential for anyone aiming to speak Estonian fluently. By understanding how the impersonal voice works and practicing its use, you’ll gain greater flexibility and confidence in your Estonian language skills. For more tips and comprehensive guides on learning Estonian, be sure to explore the resources available on Talkpal’s AI language learning blog.
