Noun
reported speech (uncountable)
(grammar, narratology) A form of speech used to express what another has said, often involving a change in tense.
If we were to change "Fred says, 'I will do the housework'" into reported speech it would become "Fred said that he would do the housework."
In reported speech, the ellipsis can be used to represent an intentional silence. Source: Internet
Folktales, myths, and legends Because folktales, myths, and legends are, in essence, reported speech, it follows that the hearsay marker would be used with them. Source: Internet
Many of these types of stories are passed down through generations, furthering this aspect of reported speech. Source: Internet