Rettelse

Rettelse is a noun used in Danish, Norwegian, and other Scandinavian languages to denote the act of correcting something or the correction produced. The term derives from the verb rette, meaning to correct, with the suffix -else forming a noun that indicates a result or process.

In publishing and journalism, a rettelse is a notice published to correct factual errors in a previously issued article or edition. Such notices aim to preserve accuracy and credibility, and they may include an apology or a clarification of the corrected information.

In legal and administrative contexts, rettelse refers to the formal process of correcting official records, such as personal data in civil registries, property records, or court documents. The procedure typically involves submitting a request, verifying the facts, and, depending on the jurisdiction, notifying affected parties.

In information management and libraries, rettelse can denote corrections of catalog records, metadata, or database entries to ensure data quality. The term is commonly used among archivists, librarians, and data managers when fixing inaccuracies in documentation or datasets.

Etymologically, rettelse is linked to the verb rette in the Scandinavian languages and is related to similar terms in other Germanic languages. The concept exists alongside terms such as erratum or corrigendum in English, which denote similar corrections but in different linguistic and institutional contexts.