- Source: Mati Erelt
Mati Erelt (12 March 1941 – 12 October 2024) was an Estonian linguist.
Erelt was born in Tallinn. In 1965 he graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in Estonian language and literature. He defended his doctoral dissertation there in 1981.
From 1989 until 1991 he was a professor at Tallinn Pedagogical Institute. From 1991 to 1995 he was a visiting professor at the Chair of Finno-Ugric Languages at the University of Helsinki, and from 1995 to 2006 he was a professor at the Chair of Estonian at the University of Tartu. He was later Professor Emeritus at the University of Tartu as well as a Senior Research Fellow.
From 1997 until 2006 he was the chairman of Mother Tongue Society.
Erelt was married to linguist Tiiu Erelt. He died on 12 October 2024, at the age of 83.
Awards
2005: Order of the White Star, IV class
2006: Medal of Estonian Academy of Sciences
2006: Big Medal of Tartu University (Estonian: Tartu ülikooli suur medal)
2008: Wiedemann Language Award