Jälkikirjoituksen

Jälkikirjoitus, often translated as postscript or P.S., is a section added to a letter or document after the main body and the signature. It serves as an opportunity to add a final thought, an afterthought, or a piece of information that was forgotten or deemed less important to include in the main text. The term "jälkikirjoitus" originates from the Latin "post scriptum," meaning "written after."

Historically, jälkikirjoitus was a common feature in personal correspondence, allowing writers to add a personal touch or a brief update that didn't fit the formal structure of the letter. It could be used for a variety of purposes, such as a reminder, a humorous aside, or a clarification. In more formal documents, a jälkikirjoitus might be used to provide supplementary information or to emphasize a particular point.

While the prevalence of handwritten letters has decreased with the rise of digital communication, the concept of a postscript still exists in various forms. In emails, it might appear as a separate paragraph at the end, or sometimes as a less formal "P.S." at the very end of the message. In some digital contexts, the term might refer to an addendum or a post-publication comment. The essential function remains the same: to provide additional content outside the primary text. The tone of a jälkikirjoitus can vary greatly depending on the context and the writer's intention, ranging from serious to lighthearted.