Tilvísunum

Tilvísunum is the dative plural form of tilvísun, a term in the Icelandic language used in scholarly writing to denote references or citations. The concept encompasses directing readers to sources that support a claim as well as cross-references within a text. In practice, tilvísun refers to the act or instance of citing a source, and tilvísunum appears in contexts where several such sources function as objects of a verb or preposition.

Etymology and form: tilvísun is built from til- meaning toward or to, and vísun meaning indication or pointing. The word is related to other Nordic terms for reference or indication. In texts, the singular form tilvísun is commonly used for one reference, while tilvísunir serves as the nominative plural. The dative plural form, tilvísunum, is used when the references are the indirect object or part of a prepositional phrase.

Usage: In Icelandic academic writing, tilvísun is used to indicate a source within the text, whereas heimildaskrá is the standard term for a bibliography or list of sources at the end of a work. Tilvísunum often appears in sentences like "samantekt byggir á tilvísunum til eftirfarandi heimilda," where multiple sources are cited as basis for a statement. The choice between tilvísun and other terms can depend on stylistic guidelines and disciplinary conventions.

See also: tilvísun, heimildaskrá, tilvitnun.