Külgviited

Külgviited, often translated as side notes or marginalia, are annotations or commentary that appear in the margins of a text. Historically, these were handwritten by readers, scholars, or scribes to offer explanations, critiques, cross-references, or additional information related to the main body of the work. They served as a way for individuals to interact with the text, personalize their understanding, and engage in a dialogue with the author or previous readers. The practice of adding külgviited was particularly prevalent in manuscript cultures where texts were unique and often annotated by multiple individuals over time, creating layers of commentary.

In printed books, külgviited could be incorporated by the publisher or author as formal footnotes or endnotes, though the informal handwritten nature of the original concept is distinct. Modern digital texts can replicate külgviited through features like comment boxes, annotations, or hyperlinks. These digital külgviited can be private or shared, allowing for collaborative annotation and discussion. The content of külgviited can range from simple definitions of obscure words to complex theoretical arguments. They are valuable for understanding the reception history of a text and the intellectual context in which it was read and interpreted.