canon
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canon
A collection of works, rules, or principles that are considered authoritative, exemplary, and generally recognized in a particular field, such as literature, art, or science.
Goethes „Faust“ gehört unbestritten zum literarischen Kanon.
Goethe's 'Faust' indisputably belongs to the literary canon.
The meaning of 'Kanon' (canon) depends heavily on the context. If people are talking about literature or art, it refers to a recognized collection of works. In a musical context, it refers to a song. In a religious discussion, it refers to holy scriptures or rules.
Je nach Thema – Kunst, Musik oder Religion – bedeutet „Kanon“ etwas anderes.
Depending on the topic—art, music, or religion—'Kanon' means something different.
Pay attention to the spelling and the article. 'Der Kanon' (the canon) is not the same as the English word 'cannon' (a weapon), even though the pronunciation is similar. The German equivalent for the weapon would be 'die Kanone' (the cannon).
Der literarische Kanon hat nichts mit einer Waffe zu tun.
The literary canon has nothing to do with a weapon.
In the meaning 'collection of works', the word is often combined with adjectives such as 'literarisch' (literary), 'kulturell' (cultural), or 'wissenschaftlich' (scientific). A fixed expression is 'zum Kanon gehören' (to belong to the canon).
Dieses Buch gehört mittlerweile zum Kanon der modernen deutschen Literatur.
This book has by now become part of the canon of modern German literature.
The musical meaning can be recognized from verbs like 'singen' (to sing) or nouns like 'Chor' (choir) and 'Stimme' (voice). The most common expression is 'im Kanon singen' (to sing in a canon), where the singers begin one after another with the same melody.
Die Kinder lernten im Musikunterricht, einen Kanon zu singen.
The children learned to sing a canon in music class.
When 'Kanon' (canon) is used in a religious context, it refers to a binding collection of texts or rules. This is often made clear by words such as 'biblisch' (biblical), 'kirchlich' (ecclesiastical/church), or the name of a religion.
Die Theologin erforscht die Entstehung des biblischen Kanons.
The theologian researches the formation of the biblical canon.
collection
'die Sammlung' and 'der Kanon' can both mean a group of works, for example books, pieces of music, or works of art. The important difference is this: a collection is simply put together, for example based on interest, topic, or ownership. A canon, on the other hand, is a selection that is considered especially important or exemplary in a field. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases several works belong together. If it is only about bringing things together, 'Sammlung' fits. If it is about recognized importance and exemplary status, 'Kanon' is more precise.
Im Literaturkurs sprechen wir über Werke, die zum deutschen Kanon gehören.
In the literature course, we discuss works that belong to the German canon.
In der Bibliothek gibt es eine kleine Sammlung moderner Gedichte.
The library has a small collection of modern poems.