Literatur

Literatur, in its broad sense, refers to written works regarded as having artistic, cultural, or intellectual value. It encompasses poetry, prose, and drama, as well as related non-fiction texts such as essays and journals. The term is used in many languages, with German "Literatur" and Dutch "literatuur" often denoting both the body of literary works and the academic study of them. In English usage, "literature" likewise describes the body of written works and the discipline that analyzes them.

Forms include novels, short stories, poetry, plays, and essays. Genres span fiction and non-fiction and range from classic to contemporary, including science fiction, mystery, biography, and history. Literature can be tied to national traditions or to world literature, which studies cross-cultural exchange and influence.

Literature emerges from oral storytelling and becomes codified in writing. Across civilizations, ancient epics, classical rhetoric, medieval religious texts, and modern novels reflect social structures, values, and changes. Canon formation identifies works widely studied in schools and universities; criticism develops through theories and methods such as close reading, historical context, and critical lenses.

Literary study investigates form, language, and meaning, as well as authorial intention and reader reception. It interacts with other disciplines such as philosophy, history, and linguistics. Literature shapes cultural identity, public discourse, and imagination, while translating and distributing texts across borders.

Today, literature also exists in digital and multimedia forms, and online archives and translations broaden access and scholarly collaboration.