overtelling

Overtelling is a term used in Dutch-language literary and educational discourse to describe the act of recounting a story to a different audience or in a different medium. In English contexts the concept is usually rendered as retelling or recounting. A retelling re-presents a source narrative, often preserving core plot and characters while reordering events, adjusting emphasis, or adopting a new point of view.

Applications: In schools, overtelling tasks require students to retell stories they have read in their own words, helping assess comprehension, narrative structure, and linguistic skills. In literature and media, overtelling appears in adaptations, oral storytelling performances, or modern retellings that reinterpret classic tales for new audiences.

Distinctions: Retelling contrasts with summarization, which condenses content, and with adaptation, which changes medium and may alter plot details. A retelling is typically faithful to events but may reveal a narrator's stance or cultural lens that differs from the original.

Ethical and practical considerations: Questions of fidelity, attribution, and intellectual property arise when retellings borrow from source texts. Educationally, overtelling can reinforce comprehension and empathy by presenting narratives through different voices or perspectives. See also retelling, adaptation.