Orality Chapter 3

In Ong’s chapter three (Some Psychodynamics), I was somewhat taken back on his depiction of the oral cultures. He discussed the complexity in recall, and the inability to preserve complex thoughts led me to my father’s culture, the Eastern Band Cherokees. Today, as in the past, Cherokees have relied on the orality of their culture to teach throughout generations. Most teachings were retaining traditions, endurance, life skills, where they are from, and adversity. The passing of storytelling is a decidedly praised and much practiced skill among the tribe today. Most historical information is still communicated through the telling of stories despite learning phonics. I did not see the parallel at first that Ong’s description of oral recall. Ong suggests that thoughts “must come into being in heavily rhythmic, balanced patterns, in repetitions or antitheses, in alliterations and assonances, in epithetic and other formulary expressions, in standard thematic settings, ….). But this too broadens that gap between orality and literacy. The Cherokee Tribe was once exclusive to those who belonged, accepted by, or who could speak the language. Now, technology has opened the door and generated a conduit, closing the gap somewhat.


Almost all Cherokee language comes in heavily rhythmic and balanced patterns. Some seem almost poetic or musical but never leaving out meaning. A story or ritual, or way of the past is typically communicated in that method. As any oral language though, it is a dying art form among the younger generations as they turn to technology. Tribal language is now taught online by elders rather than among family or tribal councils. There is some loss of translation of sound, affect, body language, and patterning as the elder reads from a scripted text rather than a story once told to him/her. With writing and print, we are quickly learning a detached, different form of communication. As oral cultures were/are limiting and polarized, technology is changing the way of communicating exponentially. What will be interesting to see is if the written culture can retain or build upon the ancient for of the oral cultures.