Tsitaati

Tsitaati is a term used in several languages to denote a quotation or the act of quoting from a source. In practice, a tsitaati is an isolated fragment of speech or text that is reproduced verbatim or nearly so within a larger work. Quotation serves to acknowledge an original source, illustrate language use, or provide evidence for an argument.

Quotations are commonly categorized as direct or indirect. Direct quotations reproduce exact words, including phrasing and punctuation, and are typically enclosed by quotation marks or set off from the surrounding text through indentation in longer forms. Indirect quotations, or paraphrases, convey the meaning of the source without quoting the exact wording, and they require careful attribution to the original author.

Formatting and style guidelines for tsitaati vary by language and discipline. Some traditions favor double quotation marks for direct quotes, others use single marks or language-specific symbols. Block quotes are used for longer passages and may be treated differently by style guides regarding indentation, line spacing, and attribution.

Accuracy and attribution are central to the ethical use of a tsitaati. Quoters should reproduce the source faithfully, indicate any omissions with ellipses, and provide complete bibliographic information so readers can locate the original material. Misquoting or failing to credit the source can distort meaning and constitutes plagiarism in many contexts.

Historically, quotation practices evolved with the development of printing, journalism, and academic writing, adopting increasingly precise rules for punctuation, attribution, and citation. In modern media, tsitaati integrates with digital references, hyperlinks, and multimedia citations to reinforce traceability and intellectual honesty.

See also quotation, citation, quotation marks, attribution, plagiarism, style guide.