<![CDATA[Purpose: This study aimed to investigate how Kashmiri oral narratives convey meaning through speech and various accompanying verbal, visual, and corporeal means of expression. Methodology: This study employed a qualitative and ethnographic research design, with fieldwork conducted in Kashmir. It involved three Kashmiri storytellers from Srinagar, Anantnag, and Baramulla. Two male storytellers aged approximately 68–70 years and one male storyteller aged approximately 55 years were included. Recordings focused on pitch, rhythm, pauses, repetition, gesture, facial expressions, etc. Results: The findings reveal that oral stories in Kashmir are multifaceted, involving multiple ways of expression. While gestures, facial expressions, and gaze reinforce meaning and communicate affect, variations in pitch, rhythm, and pauses contribute to emotional emphasis and narrative pacing. These findings suggest that conventional textual transcription alone cannot adequately represent the linguistic, paralinguistic, and visual dimensions of Kashmiri oral narratives. Conclusions: Thus, it is necessary to preserve Kashmiri oral narratives in an integrated manner using both transcription and video recording. This study contributes to the broader discussion of linguistic and cultural heritage. Limitations: The current research is limited by the availability of data, particularly in terms of the number of stories and storytellers, and the time required for the analysis. Contributions: This study contributes to multiple areas of research by emphasizing the value of linguistic and cultural heritage, specifically oral narratives. In addition, this work can benefit from being used by various institutions and individuals who are directly or indirectly involved in preserving the language.]]>
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