Selontekoja

Selontekoja is the plural form of selonteko, a Finnish noun that denotes a detailed account, explanation, or confession of events given by someone who has witnessed or experienced them. The term is used to describe narratives that recount what happened, often with emphasis on factual detail and chronology.

In legal and administrative contexts, selonteko refers to a statement or declaration about events provided to authorities, such as police, investigators, or a court. Such selontekoja may be oral or written and can form part of the evidentiary record. They are usually expected to report facts clearly, including times, places, and persons involved, and may be subject to verification or cross-examination.

In journalism and historical documentation, selontekoja describe original narratives supplied by sources to recount events. They may be presented as first-person testimonies or as quoted recollections that contribute to a larger report or history. In literature, selonteko can describe a first-person narrative that explains the speaker's perspective on events, commonly found in autobiographies or confession-like passages and occasionally used as a narrative device in fiction.

Formally, selontekoja are generally chronological, with attention to accuracy and verifiability, though the level of detail can vary. They may be signed or attributed to a named author in official contexts, or presented as attributed quotes in non-official contexts.

Related terms include selostus (a retelling or report) and lausunto (a formal statement).