史实·记忆·事迹:中国科学家口述的定位与功能

Facts,Memories,and Deeds:Attributes and Functions of Oral History of Chinese Scientists

中国科学家口述具有史实、记忆、事迹等相互联系的定位与功能。作为史实的科学家口述是现当代科技史研究的重要资料来源,但口述过程及整理方式对历史还原度有所影响。而在口述史学“集体记忆”理论的视角下,科学家关于个体经历和历史进程的记忆是在社会框架中不断调整的。中国科学家口述呈现出的集体记忆,使得科技人物研究能够在提供细节的同时,更成为趋近历史的研究方法。此外,中国科学家口述还被挖掘为模范事迹,在沉淀为文化记忆的过程中实现着科学共同体乃至全社会的价值规范与身份认同。

Oral history of Chinese scientists has been regarded simultaneously as historical facts,memories and deeds.At first,scientists’oral history is an important data source for the historical study of contemporary science and technology,but the situation and transcription would impact on the reduction of history.According to the theory of“collective memory”,scientists’memories on individual experience and the wider context have been constantly adjusted to the social framework.As a result,the research on Chinese scientists could not supply historical details but also approach to the wider history.In addition,oral narratives of Chinese scientists have also been excavated as exemplary deeds.When transferring into cultural memory,their oral history strengthens value norms and identity among the scientific community and Chinese as a whole.