oplæsere

Oplæsere is a term used in Danish and Norwegian linguistic contexts to denote a person who reads a text aloud for an audience or listener. The role spans professional narration, voice acting, and educational read-aloud activities, and it appears in media, publishing, libraries, schools, theatre, and online formats. Oplæsere may work as part of a production team for radio or television, or as independent narrators for audiobooks and digital content. In libraries and classrooms, oplæsere perform read-aloud sessions to support literacy, language development, and comprehension, often targeting children or language learners.

In audiobooks and dramatic readings, oplæsere are responsible for interpreting the text through voice, pacing, intonation, and character differentiation. Their work requires clarity of speech, appropriate tempo, and the ability to convey emotion and atmosphere using only voice. Some oplæsere specialise in specific genres such as children's literature, fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, while others provide broad narration across multiple formats.

Skills and training commonly associated with oplæsere include strong vocal control, articulation, breath management, and expressive reading. Many receive training in drama, speech, or voice acting, and many work on a freelance basis, contracting with publishers, broadcasters, libraries, or educational institutions. The rise of digital platforms has expanded opportunities for oplæsere to reach global audiences through podcasts, online courses, and streaming media.

Rights and licensing considerations are important, as recordings of readings are subject to copyright and usage agreements. In educational and public libraries, policies govern lending, public performance, and reproduction of spoken-word recordings.