Gegenäußerung

Gegenäußerung is a German noun formed from Gegen- (“against”) and Äußerung (“utterance” or “expression”). It denotes a counter-statement or rebuttal to a preceding expression by another person or body. The Gegenäußerung is a response that explicitly opposes, clarifies, or corrects the original assertion, often in a formal or public context.

Contexts and usage: In politics and journalism, a Gegenäußerung occurs when an opposing party or a commentator issues a formal reply to a speech, a press release, a policy proposal, or a report. In legal and administrative discourse, parties may file a Gegenäußerung to challenge allegations, decisions, or procedures. The term also appears in academic writing on rhetoric and discourse analysis as a specific type of counter-argument.

Character and scope: A Gegenäußerung is typically more structured than a casual objection and may be part of an ongoing exchange or debate. It is not merely disagreement; it is a deliberate effort to present a contrasting position or to correct or refine the original statement based on its content.

Relation to similar terms: It is related to Gegenrede (counter-speech) and Gegenaussage (counter-statement) but carries a nuance of directly addressing a stated assertion rather than presenting a separate or broader viewpoint. In English, Gegenäußerung is often translated as counter-statement or rebuttal.

Overview: The term is mainly used in written German, appearing in official documents, editorial debates, parliamentary records, and scholarly discussions about communication and argumentation. It signals a formal, oppositional response to an earlier utterance.