How do I use the left side of the interview view?

How do I use the right side of the interview view?

(Video in preparation)

The interview view consists of two parts:

• The left interview page
• The right interview page

While the left page is mainly used for playing audio and video recordings, viewing transcripts, and other text-based functions, the right side of the interview view provides additional data and information about the interviews.

Please note that not all interviews have a transcript, and some archives only provide metadata from interviews, so they do not provide media files for listening to or watching the videos.

Playing audio or video recordings

You can listen to or watch the audio and video recordings in the built-in media player.

In the lower bar of the media player, you can use various functions and settings:

• When you hover your mouse over the control bar, the current timecode is displayed, as well as the remaining time of the rest of the interview.
• You can skip forward and backward using the arrow symbols.
• You can use the wheel symbol to adjust the video quality and playback speed.
• Subtitles can be activated.
• You can switch to full-screen mode.

The video view can be enlarged or reduced on the right-hand side of the video. In addition, the media player offers the function of saving the interview in your workbook under “Bookmark interview” and creating a link to a specific point in the interview under “Copy position”.

You can find out how to manage your saved interviews under the menu item “Workbook”.

Transcripts and translations

Transcripts and translations (if available) run below the audio or video if they have been provided with timecodes by the archive owner.

The part of the interview that is currently being spoken is highlighted in yellow. You can switch between the “Transcript” tab and the “Translation” tab (if available) at any time.

For quick reading, the scrolling function can be turned off in the upper right corner.

When there is a change of speaker, the name of the current speaker is displayed on the far left.

The symbols to the right of the transcript refer to notes on individual interview segments or to register entries linked to these segments, e.g., locations, keywords, or glossary terms.

When you hover your mouse over an interview passage, a small grey star appears, allowing you to save this segment in your personal workbook and make a note about it. You can also quote this passage directly or copy the link to this segment to your clipboard.

Download transcripts and translations

Transcripts and translations can often be downloaded as PDF files from the right-hand

This option can be found on the right-hand side under “About the interview”. Here, under “Transcript,” you can select which version of the transcript you would like to download (if a translation is available). 

Table of contents

Tables of contents with linked headings (where available) make it easier to navigate the interviews, which can last several hours. Clicking on a heading will take you to the corresponding section of the interview.

Search within the interview

The “Search the interview” function not only allows you to perform a full-text search within the transcript, but also finds headings from the table of contents, notes, and linked index entries.

Index entries

Here you will find the index entries associated with the transcript and where these entries can be found in the transcript. By selecting the relevant text passage, you can jump to this point in the interview.

Additional materials and information

In addition, on the right-hand side of the interview view, you will find further materials and information that make the interview more accessible:

• Metadata about the person provides further information about the interviewee, while the metadata about the interview provides more detailed data about the interview situation.
• Short biographies (under “About the person”) help to place the interviewee's stories in a biographical context.
• Protocolls (under “About the interview”) provide information about the interview situation.
• The map shows places of significance in the interviewee's life (such as their place of birth, places of residence, etc.) as well as places mentioned in the transcript.
• Current and historical photos and documents can supplement the interviews (if available).