málsveinn

Málsveinn is an Old Norse term that translates roughly to "speech-servant" or "attendant of speech." It refers to an individual who assisted a speaker, often a chieftain or a poet, in their oral presentations. This role was particularly important in societies where spoken word held significant cultural and political weight. A málsveinn could be responsible for remembering and reciting speeches, poems, or sagas on behalf of their master. They might also have served to amplify the speaker's voice, acting as a herald or repeater in larger gatherings. The position implied a degree of trust and intellectual capacity, as the málsveinn needed to have a good memory and a strong grasp of language. In some contexts, the term could also extend to someone who helped in the composition or refinement of spoken or poetic works, acting as a literary assistant. The existence of the málsveinn highlights the importance placed on eloquence and the preservation of oral traditions in the Viking Age and early medieval Scandinavia.