Agenda Profile: Tõnis Lukas
An inquiry regarding the narrowing scope of Estonian as a language of scientific study and the quality of university education (no. 764)
2025-06-02
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
Political Position
The political focus is on strengthening the position of the Estonian language as the language of research and higher education, countering the narrowing of its scope of use. This stance is strongly value-based, emphasizing the preservation of national culture and the need to overcome the "inferiority complex" in the international context. Support is given to changing the system, which currently favors English-language doctoral dissertations even in fields where this is not necessary.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of higher education and science policy, highlighting specific details regarding the doctoral thesis defense system, supervision, and the language requirements of administrative agreements. Concrete statistical data is utilized (e.g., 19 Estonian-language works out of 258), and reference is made to international practices (Germany) and the history of Estonian science (members of the Academy of Sciences).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is passionate, forceful, and critical, combining idealistic and emotional appeals (e.g., thinking with the heart) with concrete facts and criticism. Sharp and direct language is employed, accusing the opposing side of having an inferiority complex and disregarding elementary standards of care. Logical argumentation is preferred, relying on facts concerning the survival and scope of use of the language.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The patterns of activity are restricted to participation in the Riigikogu interpellation (No. 764) and requesting additional speaking time during the debate.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition centers on the policy of the minister and the government, which permits the role of the Estonian language to diminish in the public sphere. The criticism is intense and value-driven, accusing the opposing side of holding pragmatic views and displaying a distrust of their own researchers rooted in an inferiority complex. The debate concludes with the acknowledgment that holding a productive discussion with the minister on linguistic matters is impossible, due to a fundamental difference in opinion.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
No data available.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is at the national level, addressing the quality of the Estonian language and higher education across the whole of Estonia, referencing the University of Tartu as an example. The international focus is important, comparing the Estonian system with other countries (Germany) and discussing international publishing.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
No data available
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central social theme revolves around education policy and the status of the Estonian language, stressing the connection between the language's survival and the persistence of the culture. There is a demand that faculty members, regardless of their nationality, must be proficient in Estonian, viewing this as the fulfillment of a basic professional standard of care. Furthermore, criticism is directed at the decline in motivation among non-Estonian-speaking families to transition to Estonian-language instruction if the state fails to actively support the role of the Estonian language.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on verifying and enforcing the language requirements stipulated in existing administrative contracts, ensuring the language proficiency of faculty members and the language instruction provided to doctoral students. Emphasis is also placed on the necessity of reforming the doctoral thesis defense system to rely more heavily on local researchers as opponents and to support the establishment of conditions for Estonian-language doctoral studies.
4 Speeches Analyzed