berättelser

Berättelser is the plural form of the Swedish noun berättelse, meaning a narrative, a story, or tale. It can refer to any narrative work or spoken account, from folk tales told aloud in communities to written prose such as short stories, novellas, or novels. The term is also used when discussing non-fictional narrative, personal anecdotes, or biographical narratives.

Elements commonly treated in a berättelse include plot, characters, setting, point of view, and themes. A berättelse may be fictional or based on real events, and it can be structured linearly or through other narrative techniques such as flashbacks or non-linear chronology. In Swedish literature, berättelser may be categorized by form—such as novell (short story) or roman (novel)—and by genre, such as realism, fantasy, or historical narrative.

Historically, storytelling began in oral tradition, with folktales, legends, and sayings transmitted orally before being written. The written use of the term reflects an enduring emphasis on the act of telling and the crafted structure of a narrative. In modern usage, the concept appears in education, journalism, and media, where personal or reported stories are used to convey experiences, information, or cultural memory.