Comments on technological intervention and influence on human communication: From the perspective of folkloristics

Abstract

This paper explores the evolution of human communication technologies, emphasizing the intertwined relationship between oral and written mediums across different stages: orality, literacy, printing, and the internet. The study underscores the persistent importance of orality, indicating that despite technological advancements, language's core role remains unchallenged in human communication. Delving into the limitations of orality, such as constraints in human memory and auditory abilities, the work addresses the crucial invention of devices and symbolic systems to record and transmit information more effectively. The transition from oral to written communication is analyzed not merely as a technical progression, but also as a factor impacting cultural dynamics and social hierarchies. Significant changes in communication practices are traced from the creation of writing scripts to the advent of printing and digital technology. The examination of such evolutions reveals the constant human effort to overcome biological constraints and leverage technology to meet increasingly complex communication needs. The study ultimately draws a fascinating parallel between ancient oral traditions and contemporary internet communication, stressing the ongoing relevance of orality even in our digitized era.