counternarrative
UK[ˌkaʊn.təˈnær.ə.tɪv]US[ˌkaʊn.t̬ɚˈner.ə.t̬ɪv]
n
a narrative or account that challenges or opposes a dominant or widely accepted narrative, offering an alternative perspective.
Morpheme Breakdown
counter
narrative
counter
against, opposite
narrative
telling a story
Etymology
the word is a modern english compound, formed by combining the prefix 'counter-', derived from latin contra meaning 'against', with the noun 'narrative', which originates from latin narrare 'to tell, relate'. the prefix establishes a relationship of opposition or alternative perspective. thus, a counternarrative is logically a story or account constructed to directly oppose, challenge, or provide an alternative to a prevailing or hegemonic story, embodying the concept of contested truth and perspective in discourse.
Analysis
Structure: counter + narrative
counter (from latin contra, meaning 'against, opposite'), narrative (from latin narrativus, meaning 'telling a story').
Examples
the documentary presented a powerful counternarrative to the official history of the event.
activists used social media to spread a counternarrative that highlighted the community's own experiences.
her novel serves as a feminist counternarrative to the traditional epic.