sidekõne

Sidekõne is an Estonian term used to describe an incidental or parenthetical utterance that accompanies main speech. Comparable to the theatrical "aside" or to parenthetical remarks in prose, a sidekõne interrupts or supplements the primary discourse to add clarification, emphasis, irony, background information, or an offhand comment without becoming the main thread of communication.

In spoken language, sidekõned are often marked by changes in intonation, brief pauses, or qualifying phrases (for example, “muide” or “ütleme nii”), and can signal the speaker’s attitude or provide quick factual asides. In written texts and theatrical scripts they are commonly indicated by parentheses, dashes, commas, or explicit stage directions, and in drama a sidekõne may be directed to the audience rather than to other characters.

Functions of sidekõne include providing context, softening statements, creating rhetorical effect, and guiding audience interpretation. While typically brief and subordinate to the main message, sidekõned can influence tone and meaning significantly. Related concepts include parenthesis, digression, and the dramatic aside; their specific form and use vary across genres, registers, and languages.