I have been dying to talk about this topic. It’s my favorite argument to pull on–the power of words. Words spoken verbally or physically can hold such a huge impact on society. Whether in recent times or the past, the developments of technology have now changed that game. For better or worse? Well, that’s definitely up for debate. In J.D. Applens piece “Old Media, New Media, and Knowledge” however, they refer to writing as technology.
With help from Walter Ong, Applen goes through how technology has become easier yet harder for people to absorb. Ong defines “literacy” as “written language”, and “orality” as “word of mouth”. Since that is speaking out loud, we can wonder how “literacy” is so different. When combined, “when we read something today, whether it is a book, a Website, or a text message, we can “hear” the language we are reading as if it is being spoken” (Applen, 2013). Orality can be seen as natural and uncoordinated while literacy can be corrected by grammar. Well, technically both can, so wait…what exactly is different here?
Grammar is (unfortunately) a big part of online writing. Helpful, sure, but that little red or blue line that is such an eyesore. That is the computer giving a big “you’re wrong” X. In their work it stated “The rules or grammar of computer languages can be designed to accomplish a known set of tasks, and, once designed, can then be put into machines to carry out these tasks immediately” (Applen, 2013). When thinking about it, grammar is such a debbie downer. When speaking out loud, people have different ways of expressing themselves. In writing, it’s harder to do that. Especially with grammarly peaking over their shoulder. I’ve spoken about this before in a previous blog post where I could say certain words verbally but on technology it does not fly under the grammar radar.
Another thing technology has made easier is keeping information in memory. From physical texts to PDF copies, the author’s work is right there. Although, if they are not there to walk through it, can it become understood the same way? Seeing information is one thing, but completely understanding it is another (Cough Cough, Digital literacy and digital rhetoric). Talking through information face to face with someone can also fall under that category of remembering it. It helps clarify ideas and, if face to face with the author, it helps them as well for critiques.
Words, whether physical or verbal, change who we are. It helps other people understand a person’s views and gives the opportunity to give their own input. We can easily step through the gray area of orality and literacy. But it is so important to see where we started from as well. And to see those differences in how people once spoke to each other compared to now would send most people into shock. I personally have a lot of beef with communication nowadays, but I am sure I would be the one to send most older generations into shock so…I shall stay silent.
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