uitleger

Uitleger is a Dutch term for a person who explains or clarifies information to an audience. The role overlaps with English terms such as explainer, lecturer, or science communicator, and can apply in education, media, museums, and public outreach. In practice, an uitleger may be a teacher, tutor, tour guide in a science center, or a presenter who makes complex topics accessible to non-specialists.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from uitleg, meaning explanation, with the agent suffix -er. The combination denotes someone who lays out or presents an explanation. The term is relatively uncommon in contemporary Dutch, as other labels such as uitleggever, docent, presentator, or spreker are often preferred, depending on context.

Roles and contexts: In education, an uitleger designs explanations tailored to the audience, using analogies and demonstrations to facilitate understanding. In museums or science centers, they may guide visitors and provide context for exhibits. In journalism and online media, explainer segments or videos perform a similar function, presenting background and clarifications for current events. The concept is widely recognized even if the exact label varies by institution and medium.

Skills: Effective uitlegers combine subject knowledge with clarity and conciseness, adapt explanations to the audience’s level, and employ visual aids, demonstrations, or storytelling to enhance comprehension. Patience, active listening, and the ability to anticipate questions are also valuable.

See also: uitleg, uitlegger, uitleggever, explainer, science communication.