A firsthand account is a detailed recollection of an event that has been witnessed by the person retelling the story. The term is pronounced /ˈfɜːstˌhænd əˈkaʊnt/ in phonetic transcription, with stress on the first syllable of both words, and with the vowel sound in "first" similar to that in "fern" while the vowel sound in "hand" is similar to that in "sand". The spelling of the word is straightforward, with "first" spelled as it usually is, and "hand" spelled with the standard "h" and "a" followed by a "d".
A firsthand account refers to a narrative, description, or testimony provided by an individual who has personally experienced or witnessed an event. It involves the direct involvement or direct observation of a situation, incident, or occurrence, without any intermediaries or second-hand sources. A firsthand account is characterized by authenticity and immediacy, as it allows the individual to provide accurate and detailed information about what actually took place.
In a firsthand account, the narrator or witness describes their personal feelings, perspectives, sensory perceptions, and emotions they experienced during the event. This type of account provides valuable insights into the individual's unique viewpoint and allows readers or listeners to gain an understanding of the event from the primary source's perspective.
Firsthand accounts serve as essential primary sources for historians, researchers, journalists, and other individuals interested in uncovering factual information about past events. They provide a sense of intimacy and genuineness, as they offer a direct connection to the actual events and people involved. By relying on firsthand accounts, researchers can avoid potential inaccuracies introduced by secondary sources or interpretations made by other individuals.
Overall, a firsthand account offers a glimpse into the lived experiences of those directly involved, allowing for a deeper understanding and analysis of an event, phenomenon, or historical period. It contributes to the creation of a rich and multifaceted narrative by providing authentic and immediate information.
The word "firsthand" has a primary meaning of "directly from the original source or personally from the experience" and is formed from combining the words "first" and "hand". "First" comes from the Old English word "fyrst", meaning "foremost" or "earliest", and traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "furistas". "Hand" comes from the Old English word "hand", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "handuz".
The addition of "account" to "firsthand" creates the term "firsthand account", meaning a personal or direct narrative of an event or experience. "Account" is derived from the Old French word "aconter", meaning "to tell". This word was then influenced by the Latin word "computare", meaning "to calculate" or "to reckon".