Orthografisches

Orthografisches is an adjective in German that relates to orthography, the system of correct writing in a language. In linguistic and educational contexts, terms such as orthografische Regeln, orthografische Merkmale, or orthografische Systeme describe conventions for writing, including spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and diacritics. The corresponding noun is Orthografie; orthografische forms are widely used in descriptions of writing practices.

The word derives from Greek orthos, meaning correct, and graphia, meaning writing, via German vocabulary on spelling. Orthografisches pertains to written representation rather than to pronunciation, distinguishing orthography from phonetics or phonology. Languages vary in their orthographies: some have a relatively phonemic (shallow) system, others display deep or irregular spellings.

In German, orthography is codified and taught; the Rechtschreibreform of the 1990s and its postreform adjustments affected orthografische conventions, sparking public discussion about clarity and consistency. In scholarly work, orthografische analysis covers how spelling rules reflect historical changes, loanwords, compounding, and morphology.

Across languages, orthography studies compare how writing systems encode sounds, morphology, and syntax, revealing diverse orthografische practices—from nearly one-to-one letter-sound mappings to historically rooted spellings that preserve etymology.

See also Orthografie, Rechtschreibung, Rechtschreibreform.