vertelstem

Vertelstem is the term used in Dutch linguistics, literary theory and media studies to describe the narrator's voice—the voice or persona through which a story is told. It encompasses who is telling the story, from what vantage point, and with what tonal and expressive qualities. The vertelstem can be in the first person, in the third person, or as an external observer, and it may be reliable or unreliable, intimate or distant, and omniscient or limited. The narrator's perspective and voice shape what information is presented and how readers or listeners interpret events.

In literature, choices about vertelstem interact with narrative techniques such as direct speech or indirect discourse to control how closely the audience follows characters' thoughts. In film, radio and podcasts, the term extends to the actual voice used to deliver narration or commentary—the voice actor or narrator who guides the action. The vertelstem in these media includes pacing, intonation, accent and timbre, which influence mood, credibility and engagement.

Practically, the tellers’ choice of vertelstem can affect genre expectations and the perceived reliability of the narrative. The same story may be told from different voices or points of view, creating different experiences for the audience. See also: narrative voice, point of view, voiceover.