closing words / final statement
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closing words
The closing words or final short speech at the end of an event, debate, or text, often containing a summary or conclusion.
Der Konferenzleiter sprach das Schlusswort und bedankte sich bei allen Teilnehmern.
The conference chair gave the closing words and thanked all the participants.
final statement
In a legal context, the final statement by the defendant or their defense lawyer before the verdict is announced in a court proceeding.
Vor der Urteilsverkündung hat der Angeklagte das Recht auf das Schlusswort.
Before the verdict is announced, the defendant has the right to make a final statement.
The word is made up of 'Schluss' (end, conclusion) and 'Wort' (word). So it literally means the 'closing word' or the 'word at the end'.
Am Ende der Diskussion fasste sie die Ergebnisse in einem kurzen Schlusswort zusammen.
At the end of the discussion, she summarized the results in a brief closing statement.
'Schlusswort' is very often used with the verb 'sprechen' (to speak/give). Another typical expression is 'das Schlusswort haben', which means to have the final say in a discussion.
Der Bürgermeister wird bei der Eröffnung das Schlusswort sprechen.
The mayor will give the closing words at the opening ceremony.
You can recognize the legal meaning from signal words from the court context. These include terms like 'Angeklagter' (defendant), 'Gericht' (court), 'Verfahren' (proceeding), or 'Urteil' (verdict).
Der Angeklagte nutzte sein Recht auf das Schlusswort, um seine Unschuld zu beteuern.
The defendant used his right to make a final statement to assert his innocence.
afterword
A Nachwort (afterword) is a separate text at the end of a book that comments on the work or places it in context and is often written by someone else. A Schlusswort (closing statement), by contrast, contains final remarks, usually as a brief summary or conclusion of the text.
Im Schlusswort fasst der Autor die wichtigsten Aussagen des Buches zusammen.
In the closing statement, the author summarized the book’s most important points.
Im Nachwort ordnet eine Historikerin die Aussagen des Buches in ihre Zeit ein.
In the afterword, a historian placed the book’s statements in their historical context.
