Kommentaari

Kommentaari is an Estonian noun form derived from kommentaar, meaning commentary, explanatory note, or interpretive analysis. The word kommentaari specifically appears as the genitive singular form of kommentaar, and is commonly used in phrases referring to the content, author, or ownership of a commentary.

Etymology and sense. Kommentaar originates from Western European languages, typically linked to the French commentaire and Latin commentarius, with a long history of use in publishing, broadcasting, and scholarly work. In Estonian, kommentaar and its related forms cover both textual annotations and analytical or opinionated content about events, works, or statements.

Usage and context. In journalism and media, kommentaar denotes a piece that explains, analyzes, or offers interpretation of news, policy, or social issues, distinct from straightforward reporting. It encompasses both neutral analysis and subjective analysis, and can be found in newspapers, magazines, and online platforms. In sports or cultural broadcasts, a form of live or recorded kommentaari is used to describe the commentary provided by a commentator or analyst. In academic and editorial contexts, komentaar may also refer to annotations or notes that accompany a text.

Distinctions. Kommentaar is often contrasted with arvamusartikkel (an opinion article) and kriitika (critique), where arvamusartikkel emphasizes opinion and kriitika emphasizes critical assessment. Kommentaari emphasizes explanation, interpretation, or contextualization, though it may include evaluation.

See also. Comment, commentary, annotation, editorial, critique.