Schlagwörter

Schlagwörter are terms used to describe the content of a document for indexing and retrieval. In German information science, a Schlagwort functions as a keyword or subject heading that can be a single word or a short phrase. They are used in libraries, archives, and digital repositories to organize materials and to support search and discovery.

Schlagwörter can be part of a controlled vocabulary or used as free terms. In many German-speaking library contexts, they are standardized through systems like the Schlagwortnormdatei (SWD), a normative file of subject headings. The SWD and similar vocabularies provide preferred terms, synonyms, and relationships such as broader or narrower concepts, which helps ensure consistent indexing across catalogs and institutions. This reduces ambiguity and improves interoperability, especially in bibliographic records and authority files.

In the digital age, Schlagwörter extend beyond library catalogs to metadata in content management systems and search engines. They are essential for indexing and retrieval, and they intersect with modern concepts such as tags and hashtags. While controlled Schlagwörter offer consistency and precision, free or user-generated terms can reflect contemporary language and user perspectives. In practice, effective information retrieval often relies on a combination of standardized Schlagwörter and freely chosen terms, with careful attention to multilingual and cross-domain applicability.

Overall, Schlagwörter are a core mechanism for organizing information, enabling efficient search, discovery, and cross-referencing across diverse collections and platforms.