People as historical sources

How accurate are oral histories?

We need to view oral histories in the same way as any other kind of historical source and consider the following:

  • We need to assess and ensure the accuracy of the data gathered. We have to face the question: how accurate is this oral history? At the very least, we must be aware of the limitations of oral history in order not to mislead ourselves into believing that oral history automatically gives us accurate accounts of past events. However, this is not unique to oral history sources. Oral sources should be used in conjunction with other historical sources. A single interview is often not, as it raises further questions that need to be answered.

  • Because oral history depends on living people as sources, we have limits; we can go back only one lifetime.

  • People tend to forget; their memories are not always reliable.

  • People may dramatize or exaggerate an event because or their own interests or agendas in the present.

  • The interview may provoke certain answers at the expense of others.

  • The interviewee may try to impress the interviewer by giving "desirable" answers.

  • The interviewee may fear talking about a sensitive topic.

  • When the story is eventually written down, there is no guarantee that it will be a true reflection of what the interviewee had to say. The written version will not reflect the emotions or body language displayed in the interview that, along with the words, enriches the interview. Also, the written version may not reflect the way in which the person uses language: people often mumble, do not talk in sentences, and do not use punctuation. They do not necessarily relate something chronologically and they can leave things out.

 

Related Pages:

Next page:Questions to think about before you do an oral history interview

Previous page: Oral history in school

 

References

How to conduct & present historical research

Oral history - an educational tool for educators and learners

Source: Unpublished material from 3 Provincial History Conferences, December 2002, supplied by Claire Dyer, SA History Project, National Dept. of Education.