Neðanmálsgreinar

Neðanmálsgreinar are a specific type of footnote commonly found in Icelandic legal texts and academic writing. The term literally translates to "below-line paragraphs." These are distinct from standard footnotes which are typically placed at the bottom of a page and referenced with a superscript number. Instead, neðanmálsgreinar are integrated directly into the main body of the text, often following a sentence or a paragraph to which they relate.

The purpose of neðanmálsgreinar is to provide supplementary information, clarification, or citations without disrupting the flow of the primary text. They are often used to elaborate on a point, cite sources, or provide definitions that are not essential for immediate comprehension but are important for completeness or academic rigor. Unlike parenthetical notes, neðanmálsgreinar are usually more substantial and can contain multiple sentences.

The formatting typically involves enclosing the neðanmálsgrein within parentheses or a similar delimiter, and sometimes a specific symbol or abbreviation might precede it to indicate its nature, although this is not always the case. Their presence signals to the reader that there is additional, contextual information available that they may choose to read for a deeper understanding. This method allows for a cleaner main text while still providing the necessary detailed information for those who require it.