Topic 1: Orality and Literacy

Study Guide

 Let’s Begin

 In order to fully understand the changing landscape of communication, it is important for us to trace how communication and media have evolved. We are going to start with language. In his work Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word, Ong (2002) provides a discussion of the differences and relationships between orality and literacy and highlights how language is an oral phenomenon. Humans were able to communicate orally, without writing. He argues that “oral expression can exist and mostly has existed without any writing at all, writing never without orality” (p. 8). Nevertheless, the invention of writing has revolutionized human communication.

To deepen and broaden our knowledge of the history of communication and media, Fang (1997) presents six information revolutions: a.) Writing Revolution, b.) Printing Revolution, c.) Mass Media Revolution, d.) Entertainment Revolution, e.) Communication Toolshed Home Revolution, and f.) Information Highway Revolution.  Each revolution refers to a period in Western history where certain communication technologies arrived and influenced the way the world works. Information revolutions show us the developments of communication and media technologies—from traditional media (radio, TV, and print) to new media (computer and the internet). Such developments have been facilitated through the process of media convergence or “the merging of previously distinct media technologies and platforms through digitization and computer networking” (Gasher, 2019, para. 1).

 Learning outcomes:

 At the end of this section, you should be able to:

1. trace the evolution of communication and media;
2. discuss the role and power of communication in shaping culture and society; and
3. apply a dialogic perspective on communication and media in your role as shapers of culture and influencers of society

 Read

 Read pp. 1-15 of Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word by Walter Ong  (2002)

 Watch

 Abe Aboud. (2014 September 9). Walter Ong – Oral Cultures and Early Writing.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvF30zFImuo

 Think

 Study questions:

1. What are the differences between orality and literacy?
2. How is primary orality different from secondary orality?
3. Why is language an oral phenomenon?