Kanonisch

Kanonisch is an adjective used in Dutch (and in related Germanic languages) meaning canonical, pertaining to a canon, standard, or officially approved collection. The term derives from canon, via French and Latin, with roots in the Greek kanon meaning rule or measure. It is used across disciplines to indicate conformity with an established standard or authoritative status.

In theology and canon law, kanonisch describes texts or rites that are officially recognized as part of a religious canon or ecclesiastical regulation. A kanonische Schrift or kanonisch boek is deemed authoritative within a particular tradition, while non-canonical texts fall outside the recognized canon.

In mathematics and computer science, kanonisch refers to canonical forms and canonicalization—the process of converting a structure to a unique, standard representation. Examples include the canonical form of a polynomial, a matrix, or a URL. The emphasis is on unambiguity and comparability.

In information science and linguistics, kanonisch denotes standard representations to ensure interoperability and consistent interpretation across systems and languages. Phrases such as kanonische vorm or kanonische representation indicate a preferred, uniform encoding.

In culture and literary studies, a work described as kanonisch belongs to the canon of a field—the collection of texts, films, or other works regarded as representative or authoritative. Such status can be debated and may evolve with scholarly and cultural shifts.

In music, the core concept is the canon, a piece in which a melody is imitated after a fixed interval; kanonisch is less commonly used in purely musical contexts, but can appear when discussing canonicity in a broader sense.