Yfirsýn

Yfirsýn is an Icelandic noun meaning an overview, a high-level view, or a general summary of a topic. It refers to a broad perspective that foregrounds main points and context rather than detailed analysis. The term is commonly used in education, journalism, business, and public discourse to introduce or summarize a subject before exploring specifics.

Etymology and form: yfirsýn is a compound formed from yfir, meaning over or above, and sýn, meaning sight or view. The combination conveys the idea of looking at something from above to grasp its overall shape and implications. The word appears in everyday Icelandic as well as in formal writing to signal a preparatory or summarizing section.

Usage: In practice, yfirsýn appears as a section heading or as part of a preface in reports, proposals, and academic papers. It is used to present the scope, key issues, objectives, and main conclusions in a concise form, enabling readers to understand the subject at a glance before delving into details. The concept is comparable to “overview” or “executive summary” in English, though its exact function may vary with the document and field.

See also: overview, summary, executive summary, Icelandic terminology.

Note: Yfirsýn is primarily a linguistic term describing a communicative aim—providing a high-level understanding—rather than a distinct technical concept or organization.