sõnasõnu

Sõnasõnu is the Estonian term for a word-for-word quotation or verbatim reproduction of text. It denotes reproducing a passage exactly as it appears in the original source, including the original wording, punctuation, and capitalization. The expression is used to emphasize precision and fidelity to the source.

The term typically appears in academic, journalistic, and legal contexts where exact wording matters. In scholarly writing, a direct quotation may be presented as sõnasõnu tsiteeritud, accompanied by a precise citation. In journalism, verbatim quotes are used to convey statements accurately, within considerations of fairness and copyright. The opposite practice is parafraseerimine (paraphrasing), where the content is restated in one’s own words.

Formatting conventions for sõnasõnu include using quotation marks appropriate to the language and preserving the original punctuation as much as possible. If only part of a passage is quoted, editors may use ellipses, and any modifications should be clearly indicated to avoid misrepresentation. In translations, the phrase sõnasõnu refers to the original text, while translations are typically not presented as sõnasõnu unless explicitly stated as a verbatim translation.

See also: tsiteerimine (quotation), parafraseerimine (paraphrase), verbitияm rigor. Sõnasõnu emphasizes accuracy and fidelity in quotation, serving as a standard for exact reproduction in written sources.