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.
Active = a form of local activity in Helsinki, where you support HUMAKO’s board and team members in organizing events and activities for other students. The time commitment is flexible and agreed on individually, so you don´t need to take part in everything. Applications are open year-round.
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.
Alumnus = in Finnish alumni, refers to a person who has previously studied and graduated from a specific educational institution. Humak alumni are all students who have completed a degree at Humak. Alumni also include international students who have studied at Humak as part of their own degree, as well as adventure alumni.
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.
Appro = a student event where participants visit checkpoints alone or in groups, collecting stamps to earn an overall patch after reaching a certain amount. Checkpoints are often bars, restaurants or cafés where stamps are given upon purchasing a drink or other item.
AtomiSign = a signature service used for signing various agreements. The service is accessed via Microsoft authentication.
B
Board = responsible for the daily operations of the Student Union HUMAKO. The board consists of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and 3–7 members. Each board member has their own responsibilities which are carried out individually, in teams, and collectively as a board. Currently, the HUMAKO board is divided into three teams: advocacy team, local activities team and services and events team. As a board member you’ll receive an overall patch, study credits, and you can also turn your work into credited coursework. Recruitment mainly takes place in autumn, with additional application rounds during the year.
C
Campus = the area and buildings of your university of applied sciences. Humak has campuses in Helsinki (Valkea talo), Kauniainen, Jyväskylä, Turku, Kuopio, and Tampere.
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.
D
Division = a form of local activity in Jyväskylä and Kuopio. Divisions plan and organize various student events, develop initiatives and collect feedback. You can earn 1–10 ECTS credits for participating in a division.
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.
Finnish Association of the Deaf = (Kuurojen Liitto) interest group for sign language users. It is a national umbrella organization with 36 member associations, advocating for the human rights and equal opportunities of sign language users. The organization was founded by the Deaf community in 1905. Its headquarters are located in Valkea talo, Helsinki.
Fuksi = first-year student, freshman
Fuksiaiset = freshmen party, a student event aimed at new students, usually includes a checkpoint tour and an afterparty.
G
GoReact = a cloud-based video management system. GoReact is used at Humak especially in interpreting courses.
H
Haka ID = refers to the Haka login system used for authentication in Finnish higher education institutions. It is not a separate username, instead you log in using your institution’s (Humak’s) username and password. As a new student, you receive your Haka ID by verifying your identity through the Suomi.fi service.
Hjördis = the mascot of Humak´s Student Union HUMAKO. Hjördis is a green creature shaped like the letter H, wearing red overalls.
Hoodle = Humak´s online learning environment. There you can find your own courses.
HUMAKO = Humak´s student union. Its purpose is to represent and promote the interests of Humak students, especially in matters related to education and everyday student life. HUMAKO also acts as a link between students and staff across Humak’s campuses. The most visible parts of HUMAKO’s work are the training of local actives and maintaining their activities. By becoming a member of HUMAKO, you gain access to various benefits and discounts. Whether you’re a full-time, multiform learning or an online student, taking courses through the Open UAS or pursuing a Master’s degree (YAMK) – HUMAKO is here for you!
HUMAKO membership = As a student at Humak you can get a HUMAKO membership via Kide.app. As a member you become part of a community, receive benefits and discounts, get access to a digital membership card, can apply to become a local active, receive informative newsletters, have the right to vote in the Representative Council elections, and can promote students’ rights and well-being while influencing HUMAKO’s activities. By joining as a member, you support your student union and make it possible for HUMAKO to continue and develop its operations.
Humak = Humak University of Applied Sciences. Fields of study in Humak are Cultural Management, Sign Language Interpreting, Interpreting and AAC Instruction, Community Education, and Adventure Education. You can do daytime studies, multiform studies or online studies. Humak has campuses in Helsinki, Kauniainen, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Turku, and Tampere.
Häry = anti-harassment contact person (comes from the Finnish word häirintäyhdyshenkilö). HUMAKO is committed to addressing harassment, discrimination and other inappropriate behavior, so if you have experienced or witnessed harassment, you can contact the anti-harassment contact persons easily via email or through an anonymous report form. The harassment contact persons are trained by the student union and are bound by confidentiality. No action will be taken without the consent of the person who experienced the harassment.
K
Kaljaasi = the biggest student cruise in Finland, you will still look back on it during May Day and anticipate it already before midsummer. In November, Kaljaasi takes party-loving students from Helsinki to Stockholm and back. A yearly changing theme, competitions, activities, and the possibility to go ashore make Kaljaasi a unique event.
Kide.app = an app through which you can buy tickets to student events, student overalls, overall patches and HUMAKO membership. The app also provides your student card and discounts. The app might not work depending on your region settings.
Kielineuvonta = (in English language guidance) a service provided by the Finnish Association of the Deaf, where you can ask questions related to sign language. For example, if you cannot find signs for certain words in dictionaries, you can contact Kielineuvonta.
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
Membership newsletter = as a member of HUMAKO you’ll occasionally receive a member newsletter by email sent to the address you provided when joining. The newsletter keeps you up to date on current topics related to your student union, your membership and your everyday student life.
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.
Multiform studies = combines in-person and remote learning. Ideal for students who work alongside their studies or have other commitments that prevent full-time on-campus attendance. In multiform studies mandatory on-site lectures may be replaced with online sessions, independent study, or group work.
O
Open UAS = at the Open University of Applied Sciences, you can study parts of an education leading to a degree. They are courses in accordance with the university curriculum and you can get credited for them if you apply for higher education studies later either to Humak or elsewhere.
Opku = abbreviation for the Finnish word opiskelijakunta, meaning student union. 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.
Overall patch = a fabric patch that is attached to student overalls by hand sewing. Patches must not be attached with a sewing machine or glue. The patch serves as a memento of various student events, your study field and participation as an active.
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.
Pikkulaskiainen = Finland’s coolest student event, attracting students to Turku. Featuring a thrilling sledding competition, mint-cocoa-scented pub crawl (appro), and an afterparty with the top Finnish artists makes this the highlight for many students.
PowerPoint = a presentation graphics program that is part of Microsoft’s software suite. It is typically used to create snazzy presentations.
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.
R
Representative Council = is made up of Humak students and the members of the council are called representatives (in Finnish edaattori). The Representative Council exercises the highest decision-making power in the Student Union and direct the activities of the Student Union Board. The election for the Representative Council is held in the autumn.
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.
SignWiki = a freely accessible online dictionary for Finnish and Finland-Swedish sign languages, available to everyone.
Sitsit = also know as sitz or sitsfest, is an academic table party where students eat, drink and sing. It usually has a theme that you have to follow when dressing up (in addition to overalls). The event is led by toastmasters, guiding the sitzpeople through the celebration. Specific rules exist, for example how to do toasts and request to speak. Breaking the rules can lead to penalties. So don’t be late.
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.
Speech-to-text interpreter = in Finnish shortened as kitu (kirjoitustulkki). The interpreter types spoken language into written text in real time on a computer for the client to read. This allows the client to understand speech through reading instead of hearing. You can study speech-to-text interpreting at Humak.
Student card = for Humak students the student card is digital and available in the Slice, Tuudo, and Kide.App apps. The card provides various local and national benefits and discounts for example on meals, travel and events. A physical plastic version is also available.
Student overalls = colorful overalls worn by students, decorated with patches collected from various events. The color and logo on the back indicate the student’s university and degree program. Students at Humak can get bright red HUMAKO overalls, you can get them from Kide.app. There are certain traditions and rules for wearing them and attaching the overall patches. For example: 1. the overalls may only be washed while you’re wearing them, 2. the first drink spilled on your overalls will be what you drink at your graduation party, 3. when worn around the waist, the back should be adjusted so that the HUMAKO logo is visible, 4. used overalls should not be sold or thrown away.
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.
Thesis = a final demonstration of your competence at the end of your studies. At Humak, a thesis is a commissioned work-life development task that is carried out in groups, pairs, or individually. The Wihi tool is used for communication and archiving. All theses are checked for plagiarism on the Turnitin service. The completed theses of all universities of applied sciences can be found on Theseus.
Tuudo = an app that supports university students in their studies. Tuudo includes features such as a timetable, completed credits, student card, benefits, and a library card.
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.
U
UAS = University of Applied Sciences, a practice-oriented higher education institution. After graduating in Finland, your degree title is followed by the abbreviation AMK (UAS), which means you have completed a bachelor´s degree, for example Interpreter (AMK) or Cultural Manager (AMK).
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.
Ä
Ännännen = a humorous term for a student in their “nn:th” year of studies. A student who has exceeded the target time for graduation and has not yet graduated. The term also refers to a well-known sitsi song.