Oral Literature Article Index for
Oral
Website Links For
Oral
 

Information About

Oral Literature




Pre-literate societies, by definition, have no written literature, but may possess rich and varied Oral Tradition s—such as folk Epic s, Folklore and Folksong —that effectively constitute an oral literature.

Literate societies may continue an oral tradition - particularly within the family (for example Bedtime Stories ) or informal social structures. The telling of Urban Legend s may be considered an example of oral literature, as can jokes.

Performance Poetry is a genre of poetry that consciously shuns the written form.


SEE ALSO



BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • Ong, W. (1982) ''Orality and Literacy: the technologizing of the word''. New York: Methuen Press.

  • Vansina, J. (1978) 'Oral Tradition, Oral History: Achievements and Perspectives', in B.Bernardi, C.Poni and A.Triulzi (Eds.) ''Fonti Orali, Oral Sources, Sources Orales''. Milan: Franco Angeli, pp. 59-74.

  • Vansina, J. (1961) ''Oral Tradition. A Study in Historical Methodology''. Chicago and London: Aldine and Routledge & Kegan Paul.