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Oral history: meaning, definitions and examples

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oral history

[ ˈɔːrəl ˈhɪstəri ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

study of past events based on personal experiences

Oral history is the collection and study of historical information using interviews with people who have personal knowledge of past events. It is an important method of preserving the memories and experiences of individuals and communities. Oral history can provide unique insights into the past that may not be found in written records.

Synonyms

testimonial evidence, verbal history.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
oral history	Use 'oral history' when referring to the collection and study of historical information using recordings of interviews with people having personal knowledge of past events. This term is often used in academic or professional research settings. The scholars conducted an oral history project to document the experiences of World War II veterans. Oral history is a valuable tool for preserving the stories of those who lived through significant historical events.
verbal history	Use 'verbal history' similarly to 'oral history', focusing on the spoken recounting of past events. It might be less formal and can be used in more casual or informal settings. This term also covers stories and traditions passed down orally in various cultures. Much of the tribe's culture and traditions are preserved through verbal history. She shared a verbal history of her family's migration from the old country.

Word

Description / Examples

oral history

Use 'oral history' when referring to the collection and study of historical information using recordings of interviews with people having personal knowledge of past events. This term is often used in academic or professional research settings.

The scholars conducted an oral history project to document the experiences of World War II veterans.
Oral history is a valuable tool for preserving the stories of those who lived through significant historical events.

verbal history

Use 'verbal history' similarly to 'oral history', focusing on the spoken recounting of past events. It might be less formal and can be used in more casual or informal settings. This term also covers stories and traditions passed down orally in various cultures.

Much of the tribe's culture and traditions are preserved through verbal history.
She shared a verbal history of her family's migration from the old country.

Examples of usage

Researchers conducted oral history interviews with survivors of the war.
The museum has a collection of oral history recordings from local residents.
Oral history can help fill gaps in traditional historical narratives.

Translations

Translations of the word "oral history" in other languages:

🇵🇹 história oral

🇮🇳 मौखिक इतिहास

🇩🇪 mündliche Geschichte

🇮🇩 sejarah lisan

🇺🇦 усна історія

🇵🇱 historia ustna

🇯🇵 口述歴史

🇫🇷 histoire orale

🇪🇸 historia oral

🇹🇷 sözlü tarih

🇰🇷 구술 역사

🇸🇦 تاريخ شفوي

🇨🇿 orální historie

🇸🇰 orálna história

🇨🇳 口述历史

🇸🇮 ustna zgodovina

🇮🇸 munnleg saga

🇰🇿 ауызша тарих

🇬🇪 ზეპირი ისტორია

🇦🇿 şifahi tarix

🇲🇽 historia oral

Etymology

The term 'oral history' originated in the early 20th century, as a way to emphasize the importance of personal accounts and memories in understanding historical events. It gained popularity as a method of historical research in the mid-20th century, particularly in capturing the experiences of marginalized groups whose stories were not well-documented in traditional historical sources. Today, oral history continues to be a valuable tool for preserving and sharing diverse perspectives on the past.