Hertellingen

Hertellingen is the Dutch term for the act or result of recounting, typically involving a re-examination of numerical tallies. The noun hertelling, with the plural hertellingen, is formed from the prefix her- (again) and tellen (to count). In standard usage, hertelling refers primarily to counting again or verifying numbers, such as in elections or data audits. The term can also appear in a literary sense as a retelling of a story, though in everyday language retelling is more commonly expressed with words like hervertellen or retelling.

In elections and public administration, a hertelling is initiated when results are disputed or when verification is required by procedure or law. It aims to correct counting errors, resolve discrepancies in ballots, or confirm the accuracy of tallies. The exact rules, timing, and potential impact on outcomes vary by jurisdiction, reflecting differences in electoral law and auditing practices. In statistical and data-management contexts, hertellingen are used for quality control, such as repeating counts to ensure accuracy, verify data entry, or audit reported figures. In sports or other record-keeping domains, a hertelling may occur if data entries are questioned or corrected after initial publication.

In modern Dutch, hertellingen is a formal term encountered mainly in official or technical discourse. The action is described by the verb hertellen, while the broader concept can also surface in discussions of fairness, transparency, and methodological rigor in counting processes.