kanttekening

Kanttekening is a marginal note or annotation added to a text, typically placed in the margin or between lines, serving to clarify, critique, explain, or provide context without altering the main text. In Dutch scholarly and literary practice, kanttekeningen may address difficult passages, indicate variant readings, or offer interpretive remarks, and they may appear in printed editions as marginal notes or as separate commentary.

Etymology: The term combines kant meaning edge or margin with tekening meaning drawing or notation, reflecting its origin in print culture when readers or editors appended notes in the margins.

Historically, kanttekeningen were common in editions of classical, religious, and philosophical works in the early modern and modern periods. They were produced by editors, scholars, or readers aiming to guide interpretation or supply background information. In some editions they accompany a main text with cross-references and reading variants; the accompanying commentary is often considered part of the scholarly apparatus rather than the main text.

Modern usage: In contemporary Dutch, kanttekening retains the sense of a marginal or inline note and is sometimes used to distinguish brief marginal remarks from longer scholarly annotations (annotatie). With digital texts, kanttekeningen can take the form of footnotes, endnotes, or pop-up comments.

See also: marginalia, annotation, commentary.