A modern description can tell us what a historical document records and how researchers interpret it.
The idea
史料 means a historical source; 記録 is a record, and 筆者 is its writer. によると attributes a claim to a source, while と考えられます marks an interpretation.
Examples
- この文書は、江戸時代の史料です。This document is a historical source from the Edo period.
- 日記によると、その年、川が氾濫しました。According to the diary, the river flooded that year.
- 筆者は町の様子を記録しました。The writer recorded the condition of the town.
- 文書の末尾に日付が記されています。The date is written at the end of the document.
- この記録は後に書かれたと考えられます。This record is considered to have been written later.
- 他の史料と比較することで、この解釈を検討できます。By comparing other sources, we can examine this interpretation.
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Watch out
A document’s statement is evidence of what was written, not automatic proof that the event happened exactly as described.
Try it yourself
歴史を調べるための資料を何と呼びますか。（史料／筆者）
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史料
史料 is a historical source; 資料 is a broader term for material.
日記＿、川が氾濫しました。（によると／としても）
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によると
によると attributes the statement to the diary; it does not itself guarantee its accuracy.
解釈を示すのはどちらですか。（考えられます／記されています）
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考えられます
考えられます signals an interpretation, whereas 記されています reports what is written.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
歴史を調べるための資料を何と呼びますか。（史料／筆者）
日記＿、川が氾濫しました。（によると／としても）
解釈を示すのはどちらですか。（考えられます／記されています）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Find a source attribution and an interpretation in the examples, then explain the difference.