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Academic English & Research vocabulary · Citing and Referencing

Source text

Meaning in academic english & research, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In academic english & research, source text means: the original text that a writer, translator, or researcher uses as the basis for quotation, paraphrase, analysis, or translation

In Turkish: kaynak metin

How it is used

Used in translation studies, close reading, citation practice, and textual analysis when comparing the original wording with a new version.

Example sentences

  1. When checking the quotation, Mina returned to the source text and noticed that one key adjective had been omitted.

    The term points to the original wording that must be consulted to verify accuracy before quoting or interpreting it.

  2. In class, we compared the source text with three student translations to discuss tone, precision, and cultural references.

    Here it means the initial text from which other versions are produced, making it the reference point for comparison.

Common collocations

  • consult the source text
  • source text analysis
  • return to the source text
  • citeTo mention a source, such as a book or article, in your writing to show where an idea, fact or quotation comes from.
  • paraphraseTo express an author's idea in your own words and sentence structure while keeping the original meaning; the source still needs a citation.

More terms: Citing and Referencing

Practise with graded reading

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