Dictionary in Finnish Sign Language
Note! Not all the words from HUMAKO´s dictionary are listed here.
A
Academic year = a one-year period during which one level of studies is completed. It includes the autumn and spring semesters.
AdEd = Adventure and Outdoor Education (in Finnish seikkailukasvatus). An orientation within the Community Educator degree programme, fully in English. Graduates can work in youth work, NGOs, educational and guidance roles, wellbeing services, or as nature and adventure education entrepreneurs. The programme is offered at Humak’s Helsinki campus.
Anniversary party = also known as annual celebration or vujut (vuosijuhlat). A formal event that typically celebrates the anniversary of a student organization, student union, guild, or similar group. At the anniversary party guests enjoy a meal, listen to speeches, and take part in various entertainment. The evening is followed by an afterparty and the next day is Sillis. The anniversary party is a suitable occasion to wear a student union sash.
C
Chairperson = also known as pj, coming from the Finnish word puheenjohtaja. In HUMAKO, a chairperson can be found in the Board and in the Representative Council.
Checkpoint round = a round in which participants visit pre-determined checkpoints, either in a fixed order or freely. At each checkpoint there is usually a task, a question or a challenge, and completing it earns a stamp or points.
Community educator = a field of study at Humak. The degree program is divided into four profiles: youth work, organizational work, adventure education, and work community development. Graduates can work in youth and NGO sectors, as well as in various professional environments across different sectors of society. Community education can be studied at Humak’s campuses in Helsinki, Turku, Jyväskylä, Tampere and Kuopio.
Cultural manager = a field of study at Humak. Graduates can work as cultural sector professionals in areas such as cultural administration, event production, and various projects. At Humak you can study cultural management in Kauniainen, Turku, Jyväskylä and online.
E
ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. A unit measuring the scope of studies. One credit corresponds to approximately 27 hours of work. At Humak, the extent of a bachelor’s degree is 210–240 credits, and completing the degree typically takes 3.5–4 years.
F
Fingerspelling = also known in Finnish as sormittaminen (fingering), means signing the alphabet with your fingers. It involves spelling out words letter by letter with fingers, typically for words that don’t have a sign or when you don´t know the sign. Fingerspelling is especially used for names when a person or place does not yet have a specific sign or sign name.
K
Kv-student = international student (in Finnish kansainvälinen opiskelija). Refers to a student who is studying in Finland but whose home country is something other than Finland.
L
Local active = participates in tutoring, division or team activities. Their events and activities are open to all Humak students, and all HUMAKO members can apply to become a local active. Students from any degree programme or year of study are welcome. You can earn 2–15 ECTS credits through local activities.
M
Microsoft 365 = formerly Office 365, is a cloud-based productivity platform. It gives you access to a selection of applications to support your studies, such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel.
P
Peppi = the student information system used at Humak. Via Peppi you handle important practical matters during your studies, such as registering for course implementations and completing the statutory academic year enrollment. From the student desktop, you can access your personal study plan (PSP), schedule your studies, and track your progress. You log in to Peppi with your Humak account via Haka authentication.
Puva-interpreter = interpreter for the speech impaired, in Finnish puhevammaisten tulkki. The interpreter assists a person with a speech impairment in communicating and understanding others in various situations. They are trained in communication methods used by people with speech disabilities and may use tools such as supported signing, pictures, or other aids. You can study to become a puva-interpreter at Humak’s Kuopio campus.
S
Semester = a nearly half-year academic period at an educational institution, divided by summer and winter breaks. In universities of applied sciences, the academic year consists of an autumn and a spring semester.
Signed speech = in Finnish viitottu puhe, a method of communication intended to support lip reading. It is mainly used by people who are hard of hearing, those who became deaf after acquiring spoken language, and some individuals with speech impairments. Signed speech consists of clear lip movements combined with signs. Signed speech and sign language are two different things.
Speech-supporting sign = in Finnish tukiviittoma, a form of expression that uses signs from sign language alongside spoken language, following the structure of spoken language. Using speech and signs simultaneously supports understanding, encourages attempts at speech, and provides a way of expression, especially for young children before their spoken language develops. Speech-supporting signs should not be confused with sign language, which is a fully independent language.
Student representative = our university, Humak, includes student representatives in its working groups to ensure that the student voice is heard and student rights are upheld. In these groups members discuss, develop, brainstorm, and make decisions about the future direction of Humak. HUMAKO board´s advocacy team supports student representatives throughout their term. You can earn ECTS credits from working as a student representative.
Student union = also known as opku, shortened from the Finnish word opiskelijakunta. A public organization whose members are students of a university of applied sciences. HUMAKO is the student union of Humak, and its membership can be purchased via Kide.app.
Study module = a broader set of related course units that together form a thematic or subject-specific entity within a degree program.
Study unit = a single study module, also commonly referred to as a course.
Suvi = an online dictionary of Finnish sign language and Finland-Swedish sign language. You can search for signs using Finnish words or by the structural features of the signs.
T
Team = a form of local activity currently available in Tampere, Turku and Helsinki. Teams can for example help organize events, design new overall patches, or take care of student advocacy. The time commitment for being a team member is flexible and can be agreed upon individually, and there is no obligation to participate in everything. You can earn ECTS credits for participating in a team.
Tutor = a form of local activity where you get to support other students and promote student well-being. Tutors provide guidance, offer peer support, organize low-threshold events, and foster a sense of community. You can earn 1–10 ECTS credits for participating in tutoring.
TYKE = work community developer, an abbreviation for the Finnish words työyhteisön kehittäjä. An orientation within the Community Educator degree programme, studied online. Graduates can work in various sectors in roles related to guidance, training, organization, planning, and development within work communities. They also have basic skills to operate as entrepreneurs in diverse environments. The TYKE path is best suited for those with prior work experience. The studies include work-life-oriented development projects and focus on building new competencies on top of existing experience.
V
Valkea talo = a building where Humak’s Helsinki campus and HUMAKO´s office are located. The building is also home to several organizations in the Deaf community, such as the Finnish Association of the Deaf and the Folk High School for the Deaf.
Vice Chairperson = also known as vpj, coming from the Finnish word varapuheenjohtaja. In HUMAKO, a vice chairperson can be found in the Board and in the Representative Council.
Viittomahaku = (“sign search” in English), a search service that allows you to look up signs from various online sign language dictionaries.
Viittomakielinen kirjasto = (”sign language library” in English), a website that offers materials in various sign languages. The videos cover topics such as fairy tales, cultural events, studies and working life, sports, history and people.
Y
YAMK = master’s degree from a university of applied sciences. It is intended for those who have completed a bachelor’s degree at a university of applied sciences (AMK) and wish to deepen their expertise and advance in their careers. A YAMK degree provides the same eligibility for public sector positions in Finland as a university master’s degree. At Humak, the extent of the YAMK degree is 60–90 ECTS credits, and it typically takes 1–2 years to complete.