Vorwort

Vorwort is a foreword in German-language publishing. It is a brief introductory note placed at the very beginning of a book, typically after the title page and table of contents and before the main text.

Its purposes include addressing readers, outlining the motivation and scope of the work, situating it within a broader scholarly or literary context, and acknowledging individuals, institutions, or funding that supported the project. The Vorwort often sets the tone and may explain editorial decisions or manuscript history, such as revisions or translations.

Authorship varies: the foreword is frequently written by someone other than the author, such as an editor, a scholar, or a prominent figure in the field; however, some works begin with a Vorwort written by the author themselves. The Vorwort is distinct from the Danksagung (acknowledgments), which appears later in the front matter and is more explicitly about expressing gratitude.

Relation to related sections: the Vorwort is different from the Vorrede or the Einleitung. In modern practice, Vorwort is the standard term for a foreword; Vorrede refers to a preface that is more personal or immediate to the author, and Einleitung provides a more systematic introduction to the content, aims, and structure.

Etymology and usage: Vorwort literally means a word said before the text. In some contexts, Vorwort and Vorrede are used interchangeably, but many publishers maintain a distinction. The term is common in German-language books, including academic, literary, and reference works, and the concept similarly exists in other languages as a foreword.