Glossary
Notes on Language
Words from the recordings, in context
These are words and phrases the speakers use to describe slavery and its end, with a little of their history. Wherever possible, each links to a moment where you can hear it said. Counts are across all sixty transcripts in the Library's collection.
Some entries describe violence under slavery. Links open the interview paused at that moment; nothing plays until you choose.
Reading this edition
- unclear
- Speech the transcriber could not make out, marked “???” in the Library's transcript.
- italic words
- The transcriber's best guess at what was said, marked with “(?)” in the transcript.
- Alan Lomax (?)
- A speaker the transcriber was not sure of.
- sync approximate
- The recording is hard to hear in places, so the words on screen may drift from the voice.