Motsvar

Motsvar is a term used in Scandinavian languages, primarily Swedish and Norwegian, to denote a reply or counterstatement to a previous statement, article, or letter. It is most commonly encountered in journalism and public discourse, where a motsvar serves as a formal response to an earlier contribution such as an insändare (letter to the editor) or a debattartikel (opinion piece). Beyond media use, motsvar can also refer to a counterargument in broader debates.

Etymology and form: The word is a compound of mot, meaning against, and svar, meaning answer or reply. The form motsvar is standard in Swedish and Norwegian, and cognates with similar constructions exist in related Scandinavian languages.

Usage and function: In media contexts, a motsvar is often published as a formal reply, offering a defense, clarification, or alternative perspective to the points raised in a previous publication. In legal, academic, or policy discussions, motsvar can denote a counterstatement or formal rejoinder to an asserted position, though the specific sense can vary by jurisdiction and publication.

Examples: "Författaren gav ett motsvar till insändarens påstående." or "Läsarens motsvar publicerades i dagens tidning." In English, these would be rendered as "the counterstatement" or "the reply to the letter."

See also: insändare, debattartikel, motargument, svar. The exact usage and availability of motsvar can vary by publication and language variant, but the core idea remains a formal reply or counterstatement.