textual transmission. The reproduction of texts from one document to another. Transmission need not involve variation; a text can be accurately reproduced. It may be transmitted by an authoritative or nonauthoritative agent. Understanding textual transmission involves identifying textual alterations and all the circumstances influencing their production and reproduction. Study of textual transmission is crucial in determining the authority of alterations. When an alteration cannot be attributed to a specific agency in the textual transmission, it is said to be an indifferent variant. Whether a transmitting agent is authoritative or nonauthoritative will depend on the definition being used for authority.