118
edits
Creating Oral Histories: Difference between revisions
→After the Interview
| Line 101: | Line 101: | ||
==After the Interview== | ==After the Interview== | ||
Don’t wait too long after the interview to make use of the recording. As time passes, you will begin to forget important details that may help you as you transcribe the recording. | |||
'''Transcribe the Interview''' | |||
Transcription is important in safeguarding and sharing your work. Audio and video tapes become obsolete much faster than typed documents. They are easily damaged, and the quality of the recording can degrade quickly. If keeping a copy of the original recording is important, be sure to convert the recording to new technologies as | |||
they become available. | |||
A transcription machine is helpful when you are transcribing an interview. It allows you to start and stop the recording easily while you write or type. If you do not have a transcription machine available, however, you canmstill transcribe the recording using normal equipment. | |||
Written language is generally quite different from spoken language. People often prefer to see the written record of their words in a grammatical or standard form, even when they did not speak grammatically. They can become quite embarrassed if the transcription shows all their verbal pauses and false starts and stops. | |||
As you transcribe the recording, you do not need to write down every “um” or the other kinds of sounds people make as they talk. After you have transcribed the interview, you should go through the text and edit it to remove the false starts and verbal repetitions that occur in spoken language. | |||
As you edit, however, try to keep those elements that are unique, that make the person’s voice uniquely recognizable. | |||
'''Make Copies of the Interview''' | |||
Make copies of your interview, and store them in different locations to help preserve them in case of fire or other type of disaster. You will also need to make copies to share with others. When you make copies, use material that is durable, such as acid-free paper, so the copies will last for a long time. | |||
'''Share Your Interview''' | |||
If you offered any copies to your interviewee, make sure you share the copies promptly. If your interviewee agrees, and you have obtained a copy of that agreement in writing (see Appendix C), you can also share your interview in many other ways: <br> | |||
''• Offer your transcript to your local historical society or university.'' <br> | |||
''• Send a copy to interested family members.'' <br> | |||
''• Publish it on a Web page.'' | |||
'''Expert Tip:''' It is extremely important that you exclude any identifying information on living individuals if you share your interview with anyone other than close family and friends, especially when the interview is shared over the Internet. | |||
==Summary== | ==Summary== | ||
==Additional Resources== | ==Additional Resources== | ||