Erzähler vs. Sprecher
While both Erzähler and Sprecher can be translated as narrator in English, their usage in German is distinct. The choice between them depends entirely on the context, specifically whether it is a literary, fictional story or an auditory, non-fictional presentation.
Erzähler
B1An Erzähler is the narrator in a literary or fictional context. This term refers to the character or the disembodied voice that tells a story in a novel, short story, poem, or film. It is about the narrative persona and the act of storytelling (erzählen means to tell a story).
In diesem Roman ist der Erzähler eine der Hauptfiguren.
(In this novel, the narrator is one of the main characters.)
Die Geschichte wird aus der Perspektive eines allwissenden Erzählers berichtet.
(The story is reported from the perspective of an omniscient narrator.)
Es ist schwer zu sagen, ob der Erzähler die Wahrheit sagt.
(It is difficult to tell if the narrator is telling the truth.)
Der Erzähler des Märchens führt uns durch eine magische Welt.
(The narrator of the fairy tale guides us through a magical world.)
Sprecher
A2A Sprecher is the person who physically speaks the text; the voice you actually hear. This term is used for the narrator of audiobooks, documentaries, news reports, commercials, or any voice-over work. The focus is on the voice actor or speaker delivering the content (sprechen means to speak).
Der Sprecher des Hörbuchs hat eine sehr beruhigende Stimme.
(The narrator of the audiobook has a very calming voice.)
Für die Naturdokumentation wurde ein berühmter Schauspieler als Sprecher engagiert.
(A famous actor was hired as the narrator for the nature documentary.)
Die Anweisungen auf dem Anrufbeantworter kamen von einem automatischen Sprecher.
(The instructions on the answering machine came from an automated speaker.)
Das Museum bietet eine Audiotour mit einem professionellen Sprecher an.
(The museum offers an audio tour with a professional narrator.)
Summary
In essence, the Erzähler is the literary, often fictional, voice *within* the story who does the storytelling. The Sprecher is the real person whose voice you hear reading a script, such as for an audiobook or a documentary. A perfect example: In an audiobook of a novel, the main character might be the Erzähler, but the actor reading the book is the Sprecher.