tarinamaailma

Tarinamaailma is a Finnish term used in literary and media discourse to refer to the fictional universe in which a story takes place. It encompasses the setting's geography, history, cultures, institutions, and the rules that govern how its inhabitants act and what can happen within it. The concept is primarily concerned with the world beyond the immediate plot, providing a broader context for characters, events and themes.

Etymology-wise, tarina means story and maailma means world, together signaling the total narrative cosmos surrounding a work. In Finnish discussions, tarinamaailma can describe both single-work settings and broader, shared universes that cross multiple texts or media. It is often distinguished from the surface plot or characters by focusing on the underlying structure, logic and atmosphere of the fictional space.

Characteristics of a tarinamaailma typically include a defined geography or topology, a history or backstory that explains current conditions, social and political systems, and, if present, magical, technological or supernatural frameworks. A key aspect is internal consistency or rules that govern what is possible within the world. Tarinamaailma can be created by an author alone, but it may also expand through collaborations, sequels, adaptations or fan works.

In practice, tarinamaailma is explored in analysis of worldbuilding, genre studies, and fan discourse. It serves as a tool for understanding how authors construct meaning, tone, and plausibility, and how audiences engage with a story beyond its immediate events. The term is widely applicable across literature, film, comics, games and theatre.