multivocal

Multivocal is a term used in literary, media, and social sciences to describe works that embody multiple voices or perspectives within a single texture. The word combines multi- (many) with vocal (voice), signaling a deliberate inclusion of diverse standpoints rather than a single authoritative narrator.

In practice, multivocality appears in novels, films, journalism, ethnography, and digital media through techniques such as alternating narrators, embedded interviews, testimonial transcripts, or chorus-like ensembles. It is related to, but distinct from, polyphony; multivocality foregrounds multiplicity of voice and stance, while polyphony emphasizes simultaneous musical or thematic layering. In many cases both concepts overlap.

The aim of a multivocal approach is to represent heterogeneity, challenge centralized authorial control, and illuminate power dynamics, ethics, and stakes across communities. It often requires careful negotiation of consent, representation, and voice, especially when involving marginalized or vulnerable participants. Critics note that multivocal projects can risk incoherence, weight particular voices over others, or verge toward tokenism if not guided by clear ethical and narrative frameworks.

Examples include narrative works that switch between distinct narrators, documentary practices such as oral histories and participatory media, and scholarly writing that deliberately foregrounds the perspectives of participants alongside the researcher’s interpretation.

When used thoughtfully, multivocality can deepen insight and foster reflexive understanding of complex subjects.