Word order and emphasis

Given and New Information

Finnish does not have articles like "a" or "the". Instead, it uses word order to show what is already known and what is new. The general rule is: old (given) information comes first, and new information comes last.

When a sentence starts with the subject, it acts as known information (often translating to "the" in English).

The curator is standing in front of the display case.
Kuraattori seisoo vitriinin edessä.
The sign is next to the pedestal.
Opaste on jalustan vieressä.

Location First, Subject Last

If you want to introduce a new subject (translating to "a" or "some"), move it to the end of the sentence. These sentences often begin with a location.

In front of the display case stands a curator.
Vitriinin edessä seisoo kuraattori.
Next to the pedestal there is a sign.
Jalustan vieressä on opaste.

Shifting Emphasis

Finnish typically follows Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order. However, because word endings (cases) tell you who is doing what, you can freely move words around to shift emphasis.

Whatever is placed at the end of the sentence carries the most focus (the new information). Compare these two sentences:

This viewing angle emphasizes the beauty of the object.
Tämä katselukulma korostaa esineen kauneutta.
The beauty of the object is emphasized by this viewing angle.
Esineen kauneutta korostaa tämä katselukulma.

In the first sentence, the object (esineen kauneutta) is the new, emphasized information. In the second, the object is given, and the subject (tämä katselukulma) acts as the "punchline."

Arranging the Exhibition

When curating your exhibition, pay attention to how the most important new details naturally fall at the end of the clause.

I arrange this statue onto the new pedestal.
Minä asettelen tämän patsaan uudelle jalustalle.
It is important to illuminate the exhibition correctly so that the visual whole works.
On tärkeää valaista näyttely oikein, jotta visuaalinen kokonaisuus toimii.