diegética

Diegetic refers to elements within a fictional work that are part of the story's world. In film, literature, and theater, diegetic sound, for example, is any sound that has a source within the narrative. This includes dialogue spoken by characters, the sound of a car engine that is present in the scene, or music playing on a radio within the story. Conversely, non-diegetic elements exist outside the story's world. Non-diegetic sound is typically a film score or soundtrack that is not heard by the characters in the narrative but is intended for the audience.

The concept of diegesis originates from ancient Greek narrative theory, where it referred to the act of telling a story. In modern media analysis, it helps distinguish between what is presented as part of the fictional reality and what is an external commentary or enhancement for the audience. Understanding diegesis is crucial for analyzing how a narrative is constructed and how the audience perceives the story world. For instance, a character reacting to a sound implies that the sound is diegetic, while the audience hearing music that the characters do not acknowledge indicates it is non-diegetic. This distinction allows creators to manipulate the audience's experience and understanding of the events unfolding.