bemerkning

Bemerkning is a noun used in several Scandinavian languages, including Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, where it generally denotes a remark, comment, or annotation added to a text or spoken statement. In English-language discourse about Scandinavian texts, the term may be used to describe such notes when discussing the original material or its commentary. The closest English equivalents are remark, note, annotation, or comment.

In practice, bemærkninger or bemerkninger can appear as marginal notes, footnotes, or editor’s comments that clarify a point, question a claim, or provide additional context. In formal settings such as meetings or parliamentary proceedings, a bemærkning denotes a speaker’s remark or observation. In modern documentation, software, and data contexts, the term can describe an annotation attached to text or code to convey metadata, explanations, or caveats about a particular element.

Etymology and variations: the word stems from a verb meaning to remark or notice in the respective languages, with orthographic variants reflecting Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish spelling conventions. Related terms across the languages include bemærkning (Danish), bemerkning (Norwegian), and bemärkning (Swedish), each functioning similarly though adapted to local grammar.

Usage notes: bemerkning is typically used as a singular noun, with plural forms differing by language. Its purpose ranges from scholarly commentary to informal notes, always serving to add information, clarification, or critique to the primary text or discourse.

See also: annotation, remark, note, marginalia, footnote, commentary.