SIGLUM Meaning and
Definition
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A siglum is a term used in the field of manuscript studies and textual criticism to refer to a conventional abbreviation or symbol used to name or identify a manuscript or a particular textual source. It is typically composed of a few letters or a combination of characters that represent the title, author, or invocation of the work it stands for. Sigla are primarily used to facilitate the cataloging, referencing, and citation of manuscripts or ancient texts, especially in situations where they have no known titles.
The siglum serves as a distinctive marking that differentiates one manuscript from another within a particular collection or corpus. It helps scholars and researchers to easily locate and identify a specific manuscript or textual variant, particularly in cases where the full title or authorship is unknown, lost, or uncertain. Sigla are often found in the form of superscript letters or symbols added to the beginning or end of a manuscript or its respective textual description.
By providing an efficient system for naming manuscripts, sigla simplify and standardize the identification process, thus enabling scholars to refer to and compare different versions of a text across various editions or translations. Nevertheless, since the use of sigla can vary between scholars or institutions, it is essential to consult the published guide or catalogue to determine the meaning of a specific siglum within a particular research context.
Etymology of SIGLUM
The word "siglum" is derived from the Latin term "sigla", which refers to the abbreviation of a word or phrase. In medieval Latin, sigla was used specifically to indicate the abbreviation marks used in written texts. Over time, the term evolved and came to be used in specialized areas such as textual criticism and bibliography, where it refers to the unique symbol used to identify a particular manuscript or edition. From there, it entered into the English language as "siglum".
