parafraser

Parafraser refers to the restatement of a text or speech in different words while preserving the original meaning. In English, the term is paraphrase or paraphrasing; in several Nordic and European languages, including Swedish, parafraser or parafrasering is used to describe the same process. The etymology traces to the Greek roots para- “beside” and phrasis “speech,” indicating the act of saying something alongside the original wording.

Paraphrasing serves multiple purposes. It can aid understanding by rephrasing difficult passages, improve clarity or tone, adapt content for different audiences, or help summarize a source while retaining essential information. It is also a common task in translation, writing, journalism, and education. In modern computing, automated paraphrasing tools and AI-based rewriters are employed to generate alternative phrasings, though they may introduce errors or alter nuance if not reviewed by humans.

Techniques for effective paraphrasing include first fully grasping the original meaning, then reexpressing the idea in fresh wording with different sentence structure and vocabulary, while preserving factual content and tone. Distinctions exist between close paraphrase (rewording with minor changes) and loose paraphrase (substantial rephrasing, potentially with changes in emphasis). It is important to cite sources when paraphrasing other authors to avoid plagiarism and to maintain transparency about the origin of ideas.

Ethical considerations emphasize accuracy, attribution, and the limits of paraphrasing as a derivative work. Paraphrasing should not misrepresent the source, and when the wording is distinctive or creative, quotation may be more appropriate. See also paraphrase, translation, summarization, and plagiarism.