talare

Talare is a Swedish noun meaning a person who speaks in public; a speaker, orator, or lecturer. It is used for anyone delivering a speech at meetings, conferences, ceremonies, or educational events. The term is gender-neutral and can refer to men or women.

Etymology: The word is formed from the verb tala "to speak" plus the agent suffix -are, a pattern common in Swedish for denoting a person who performs an action. Cognate forms exist in other Scandinavian languages, such as Norwegian and Danish, where similar words are used for speakers or persons who give talks.

Usage: In event programs or media reports, talaren or talarna denotes the primary or guest speaker. The term is neutral and does not imply professional status; it can refer to politicians, scientists, activists, teachers, or any person giving a talk. In religious contexts, the term predikant is more common for a preacher, while talare may be used for a lay speaker or guest speaker.

Related terms: Tala (to speak), tal (speech), talet (the speech), föreläsare (lecturer), and retorik (rhetoric).