Q1. What do you understand by ‘oral-written continuum'? Discuss with suitable examples.
- Oral-written continuum: Dynamic interplay between oral and written communication, not a binary split.
- Primary Orality: Pre-literate societies relying on memory, repetition, and communal knowledge transmission.
- Literacy's Impact: Introduced linear thought, abstract reasoning, record-keeping, and individual authorship.
- Secondary Orality: Electronic media (radio, TV, internet) reintroduces oral characteristics within literate cultures.
Answer: The 'oral-written continuum' describes the dynamic, interdependent relationship between oral (spoken) and written (literate) forms of communication, rather than viewing them as distinct, separate entities. It posits that societies and individuals do not simply transition from one state to another, but rather exist on a spectrum where oral and written modes constantly interact, influence, and transform each other, shaping cultural and societal development. Historically, primary oral cultures rel...