narrator / storyteller
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storyteller
A male person who recounts a story or event orally or in writing.
Der Großvater war ein begnadeter Erzähler, dessen Geschichten die ganze Familie fesselten.
The grandfather was a gifted storyteller whose stories captivated the whole family.
narrator
In literary studies, the fictional entity or voice from whose perspective a story is told.
Der Roman verwendet einen allwissenden Erzähler, der die Gedanken aller Figuren kennt.
The novel uses an omniscient narrator who knows the thoughts of all the characters.
'Der Erzähler' (the narrator/storyteller) is derived directly from the verb 'erzählen' (to tell). The ending '-er' turns the activity (telling) into the person who performs it.
Er kann sehr gut Witze erzählen.
He can tell jokes very well.
The context shows whether a real person or a literary figure is meant. If it involves a novel or an analysis, the literary entity is usually meant.
Der Erzähler der Gutenachtgeschichte hatte eine sehr beruhigende Stimme.
The storyteller of the bedtime story had a very soothing voice.
In literary analysis, 'Erzähler' (narrator) is an important technical term. Different types are distinguished, for example the 'Ich-Erzähler' (first-person narrator), who is part of the story himself, or the 'allwissender Erzähler' (omniscient narrator), who knows everything.
Der Ich-Erzähler beschreibt die Ereignisse aus seiner sehr persönlichen Sicht.
The first-person narrator describes the events from his very personal point of view.
author
Both words can be connected with a story being told, but they do not refer to the same person or entity. „Der Autor“ is the real person who writes and publishes the text, while „der Erzähler“ can be the fictional voice within the story. So ask who created the book or who tells the story in it.
Der Erzähler berichtet die Ereignisse aus seiner eigenen Perspektive.
The narrator recounts the events from his own perspective.
Der Autor veröffentlichte den Roman im vergangenen Jahr.
The author published the novel last year.
