so, i think it's pretty safe to state that in ENGLISH, oral transmission is much more effective at conveying ALOT of things (emotion, etc) than written english. while written has its advantages too, i really want to know what this comparison is in a language like chineese, where intonation isn't just the emotion of the speaker, but an integral part of the words meaning. do these types of languages do a better job at preserving emeotion when they make the transition to written knowledge? i remeber when i did the sibo gomero post, they talked about how a HUGE part of the language was the emotion behind the whistling (whitch was transmitted through intonation). so basically - when intonation is a part of the word itself is that emotion better preserved?
ps. i do think that english does a decent job transmitting the APPEAL of the oral tradition speaking only of the language - i actually think the appeal is greater written, but the EXPERIENCE of the oral isn't very well replicated
I was reading today about Futhark, and apparently its earlier forms could be written both front-to-back and back-to-front--a prominent reason for considering the runes as descending from cuneiform.
In Simon Singh's The Code Book (an excellent read, though it's been years) talked about oxrow writing in Greek; apparently, the writing would go left to right for a row, then loop down to another row and go right to left for a row. It resembled the rows a plow makes in a field.
Ah, how language can bond--reminds me of a family friend's daughter's vacation story. She and her mom had gone to the Far East (my memory doesn't recall exactly where) where she had served her mission. One day they were walking along a road late in the afternoon and they passed this little old man pulling a fruit cart. They were hungry, but as they approached it was clear he didn't want to bother with tourists and was quite tired. Still, he was polite to them, and she started by bowing deeply and greeting him with the equivalent of "Greetings, grandfather." (I pause here to note that grandfather, in this culture, is actually quite a reverent and respectful term.)
His face lit up, and he got excited. They talked for some time, and he didn't let them leave without a banana as a gift.
A story about an oral interaction...Can a written story about an oral exchange convey the impact of the original oral story?
so, i think it's pretty safe to state that in ENGLISH, oral transmission is much more effective at conveying ALOT of things (emotion, etc) than written english. while written has its advantages too, i really want to know what this comparison is in a language like chineese, where intonation isn't just the emotion of the speaker, but an integral part of the words meaning. do these types of languages do a better job at preserving emeotion when they make the transition to written knowledge? i remeber when i did the sibo gomero post, they talked about how a HUGE part of the language was the emotion behind the whistling (whitch was transmitted through intonation). so basically - when intonation is a part of the word itself is that emotion better preserved?
ReplyDeleteps. i do think that english does a decent job transmitting the APPEAL of the oral tradition speaking only of the language - i actually think the appeal is greater written, but the EXPERIENCE of the oral isn't very well replicated
Heh...wow...Awesome, Ted.
ReplyDeleteI was reading today about Futhark, and apparently its earlier forms could be written both front-to-back and back-to-front--a prominent reason for considering the runes as descending from cuneiform.
In Simon Singh's The Code Book (an excellent read, though it's been years) talked about oxrow writing in Greek; apparently, the writing would go left to right for a row, then loop down to another row and go right to left for a row. It resembled the rows a plow makes in a field.
Ah, how language can bond--reminds me of a family friend's daughter's vacation story. She and her mom had gone to the Far East (my memory doesn't recall exactly where) where she had served her mission. One day they were walking along a road late in the afternoon and they passed this little old man pulling a fruit cart. They were hungry, but as they approached it was clear he didn't want to bother with tourists and was quite tired. Still, he was polite to them, and she started by bowing deeply and greeting him with the equivalent of "Greetings, grandfather." (I pause here to note that grandfather, in this culture, is actually quite a reverent and respectful term.)
His face lit up, and he got excited. They talked for some time, and he didn't let them leave without a banana as a gift.
A story about an oral interaction...Can a written story about an oral exchange convey the impact of the original oral story?
I'd say nah, yeh'd have to've been there. ;)