Zitaten

Zitaten is the plural of Zitat, a term used in German to refer to passages taken from another source and reproduced, either verbatim or with minor edits, to convey someone else’s words or ideas. In practice, Zitaten can be direct quotes, which reproduce the exact wording, or indirect quotes, which paraphrase the original in one’s own words while still attributing the source.

Zitaten serve several functions in writing and speech. They can provide evidence, illustrate a point, present authority, or reveal how others have expressed a concept. Zitaten appear in academic articles, journalism, literature, speeches, and online media. Collections of Zitaten, such as anthologies or databases, organize notable passages for reference or inspiration.

Form and punctuation vary by language and style. Direct Zitaten are typically set off by quotation marks, with conventions differing by tradition. In German typography, the common practice is to use the opening and closing angle or double quotation marks „ … “, with nesting often indicated by single quotation marks ‚ … ’. Indirect Zitaten do not use quotation marks but require a citation to the original source. Longer quotes may be formatted as block quotations.

Ethical considerations include accurate attribution and faithful representation of the original meaning and context. Misquotation, context stripping, or poor sourcing can undermine credibility. Copyright laws influence whether and how long quotes may be reproduced, and how sources should be cited. See also: quotation, quotation marks, citation, quotation database.