text criticism

Text criticism is the study of ancient manuscripts to determine the original wording of texts, such as religious scriptures, classical works, or historical documents. Scholars compare different versions of a text, looking for variations, errors, and changes made over time. By analyzing these differences, they aim to reconstruct the most authentic version of the work. This process helps to understand how texts have evolved, the intentions of their authors, and the historical context in which they were created. Ultimately, text criticism preserves the integrity of literature and historical records for future generations.