Doing testimony - interaction in historical testimony

Abstract

The narrative interview is the method of choice for preserving historical experience. However, interviewing as social research method is seriously criticized for neglecting interview interaction. Conversation analysis (CA) could bring in some corrections in this debate. Using this method, the conversational practices in interviews for historical testimony, especially the «recipient design” of interviewee’s utterances are examined. In 8 interviews for historical testimony from the years 2005-2006, not only the interviewer but also a third non-present other, an «overhearing audience” (Heritage 1985), is addressed. These findings are discussed in comparison to media interviews.