Orality and Literacy

Walter Ong investigates the differences between a culture based on oral tradition and those based on the written word. He finds that the kind of 'word for word' transmission of spoken information which the bible and the koran depend upon are not in fact reliable.

http://www.amazon.com/Orality-Literacy-New-Accents-Walter/dp/0415281296/ref=s...

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• orality
• literacy
• walter
• ong
• bible
• koran
• jesus
• mohammed
• oral
• tradition
• written
• word
• proudfootz

[wslafond]

In the article Electrifying Classical Rhetoric: Ancient Media, Modern Technology, and Contemporary Composition, English Professor K. Welsh eloquently explains Ong’s position on orality. That secondary orality “empowers people with the ability to reinterpret” the art of classical rhetoric and to better understand both exterior and interior discourses,” It is a “cultural recall” where [all] forms of communication-consciousness are not mutually exclusive, rather they are cumulative.”

[proudfootz]

@wslafond

The concept of 'secondary orality' is interesting. I find that there is a lingering 'literalness' about how the spoken word is considered - thus how recordings of the spoken word are used (particularly in political speech) to create 'gotcha' moments.

Am curious if you might mean Kathleen Welch?

[DanLackey]

I do not think "majorly" (3:48 on the tape) is a real word. But this clown seems mentally challenged on others fronts as well. Trust he won't give this excellebt book a bad name with this twisted few minutes of fame.

[proudfootz]

danl -

That was certainly an insightful critique.

If you think my intent was to give this excellent book a bad name you're suffering a ginormous delusion.

[folkfehr]

When you say 'literate' culture, you must be referring to written literacy and not oral literacy, so perhaps there is some subtle judgment here. I think the bigger problem is the idea that orality = pre-literacy and is therefore backward. Is the world more civilized and evolved as more 'concrete' facts are produced. It does have many advantages, for sure, but how does this mean cultures of orality are flawed?

[proudfootz]

folk -

I don't think Ong is taking the position that pre-literate or non-literate culture is flawed - if anything it is a mistake to apply the standards and prejudices of literate cultures to those in which oral-transmission dominates. The book explores the way each has a completely different way of thinking.

[DanLackey]

Sorry proudfootz I wrote too quickly in a cranky mood. You deserve our thanks for publicing the Ong book. Barry Sanders in his book "A Is for Ox," relies a lot on Ong. Hasta luego. drl

[proudfootz]

rog -

If it sounds like I am (or Ong is) choosing a 'side' that's an error on my part.

Obviously having been raised in a literate culture I'm more conversant and comfortable with it than the other.

[rogi32]

Ong analyses the social and psychodynamic differences between oral and literate cultures without judging. you are obviously prefering written over oral cultures and that is not what Ongs book is about.

[proudfootz]

rog -

How so?