Reading text - seeing text: Edition and typography

The following contribution begins with the idea that the typography of a text can be part of its semantic structure. This idea is illustrated by examples from the classical period to the 20(th) century. Such a relation has particular consequences for the editorial presentation of printed texts with regard to the question of whether a typography carrying meaning has to be taken into account if the editor wants to provide authentic texts. Referring to the methods of more recent editions of the works of modern German authors, the article discusses possible solutions.