Titel

Titel is a German noun meaning the name by which something is publicly known or designated. It is most commonly used to refer to the name of a creative work, such as the title of a book, film, or artwork, but can also denote an official designation for a document, a legal act, or a person’s professional credential or rank.

Etymology and usage notes: Titel derives from Latin titulus, meaning label or inscription, via the French titre. In German, the word entered standard usage in the late Middle Ages and remains the preferred term for naming a work or an official designation. It is frequently contrasted with Untertitel (subtitle) and Überschrift (heading), which indicate secondary or structural labels. In bibliographic records and publishing, the Titel is a key metadata field that identifies the work itself, while the running title or page header may repeat or shorten the main Titel.

Applications: In literature and media, the Titel identifies a work and is quoted or italicized in text. In law and administration, the Titel can designate the official name of a decree, regulation, or contract. In academia and professional contexts, the word can also refer to a degree or honorary designation when used in forms like “Titel des Doktors” or “Rittertitel,” though more precise terms are common in formal writing.

Examples: Der Titel des Romans ist Die Schattenwege. Der Vertrag trug den formellen Titel Verbindlicher Kaufvertrag. The word functions across languages in similar ways, with German usage focusing on naming and designation. Overall, Titel is a fundamental concept for identifying and categorizing works, documents, and credentials.