Specificity of oral sources in History: Character situated from its transcript

Abstract

The need to conserve and consult oral sources as such is defended, instead of  their written transcription, as recommended by the historian Alessandro Portelli, when he invites to recover the value of auditory records as unique,  specific and passible testimonies of continuous reinterpretation which corresponds to every historical file. Recognizing the situated character of every transcription, offers the methodological concept that introduces subjectivity in the objective shelves of History. To support the proposal, the contributions of Walter Ong are remembered, who present Orality and
Scripture as differentiated cognitive systems that introduce complementary
ways of seeing the world. Greek term hystor defines "interview with witness,
person who knows". Michael Pollak demonstrated how Oral History legitimizes and gives public authority to the underground memories of those who seek justice, and were forced into silence for lack of social understanding. This offers the victims of serious conflicts the institutional framework and the unique opportunity to interpret the inescribible of themselves.