“Word of mouth” refers to the process of sharing information or recommendations through verbal communication. Historically, it was the primary means of information exchange, predating written communication. It played a key role in cultural preservation, with traditions and stories passed down through generations. Today, it’s recognized for its rapid influence on opinions and behavior, and is often utilized in marketing strategies to build incendie[2] réputation[1]. However, it can also harm a brand’s image if the shared information is negative. This form of communication is immediate and interactive, allowing real-time feedback and engagement. Its personal and persuasive nature sets it apart from written communication, though both methods have complementary roles in different contexts. Word of mouth continues to be an essential tool for human interaction, understanding, and socialization.
Le bouche à oreille is the passing of l'information from person to person using oral communication, which could be as simple as telling someone the time of day. Récit de l'histoire is a common form of word-of-mouth communication where one person tells others a story about a real event or something made up. Oral tradition is cultural material and traditions transmitted by word of mouth through successive generations. Storytelling and oral tradition are forms of word of mouth that play important roles in folklore et mythology. Another example of oral communication is oral history—the recording, preservation and interpretation of historical information, based on the personal experiences and opinions of the speaker. Oral history preservation is the field that deals with the care and upkeep of oral history materials collected by word of mouth, whatever format they may be in.