Official Review: Literacy and orality by Ruth finnegan

HouseOfAtticus · Post by **HouseOfAtticus** » 29 Dec 2017, 06:07

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Literacy and orality" by Ruth finnegan.]

4 out of 4 stars

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“How will developments in information technology affect political participation, for example, economic development, the quality of life or human communication? Will ‘IT ’ revolutionize current forms of organization and democratic participation, or will it merely reinforce existing power divisions? Are we entering a new age with new modes of thinking, new concepts of the self, new notions of what it is to be a ‘human being’?“

The book Literacy and Orality by Ruth Finnegan is a literary text that deals with the conception and evolution of two seminal cultural practices that are universally observed and celebrated: literacy and orality. It attempts to dismantle preconceived notions and dominant social assumptions about these vastly misunderstood cultural practices. It also attempts to understand the nature of “communication and its implications for human thought and action in a comparative and historical framework”. It also adds value to recent works of social anthropology and history, infusing heavily elements of first-hand field researched into the theories that the author has presented to the reader.

As a literature student, I feel like this is perhaps the most interesting text I have come across in quite a while. The eloquence and finesse with which the author presents such complicated ideas with simplicity is quite characteristic of this author (as I found out after I read more of her books). The topics that the author has talked about are certainly esoteric and not everyone’s cup of tea, but the way the author has talked about these ideas has made them palatable to the mainstream crowd. Any literature, social anthropology, or history enthusiast will fall in love with this book. I found it to be an absolutely irresistible read.

The subject matter of this text is evidently literacy and orality, two indispensable cultural practices that have invariably endured the test of time. The narrative begins with talking about the recent IT revolution and its inevitable implications on the existing hierarchies and modes of thinking. It also explores the philosophical underpinnings of such a revolution and what it can mean for humanity. From there it takes us to West Africa to better understand the subject matter. The simple question is this: “Are ‘oral’ peoples necessarily unreflective, simple or concrete in their thinking? “

While I certainly understand that this is an esoteric text and would appeal to a certain crowd, I strongly feel that this text deserves 4 out of 4 stars, for a number of reasons. The author has extensively researched before writing this text and has provided data to go with her theories. She has eloquently brought together different elements of history, literature, and social anthropology and created a unified, coherent, and wonderful text.

******
Literacy and orality
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BookHausJ · Post by **BookHausJ** » 30 Dec 2017, 01:50

There maybe some aspect that IT will complicate the two cultural practices. But both practices will benefit the IT revolution. Well in fact it will reinforce both. You made me think to read this book with your reviews. Thank you!

Sahani Nimandra · Post by **Sahani Nimandra** » 30 Dec 2017, 03:07

The author has done a good job in presenting her ideas to the present world situations. The impact "IT" has on this world, the influence it has on our lives has been present. Good review by the reviewer in reminding us about this.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 30 Dec 2017, 10:06

I'm glad you were able to enjoy this one. It sounds a bit too complex or academic for me. The subject is an important one. Thanks for introducing this one to us.

Marissa Michael · Post by **Marissa Michael** » 01 Jan 2018, 06:18

This is apparently an academic book to me. I would like to read this author's work. Thank you for your review.

HouseOfAtticus · Post by **HouseOfAtticus** » 01 Jan 2018, 10:21

Thank you so much! it's a beautiful book.

Kat Berg · Post by **Kat Berg** » 01 Jan 2018, 16:18

You have got me very curious! I will need to check this book out. It is interesting with what is happening in our world that is considering giving a robot citizenship, where AI's will write their own language (without programmer permission!) to facilitate talking between other AI's. We live in a new and fascinating world and I am curious to see how she processes that.

N_R · Post by **N_R** » 28 Jan 2018, 07:01

Thanks for the review- this sounds like a really interesting book. I think that this is a great topic for the day and reading it as a literary student would have been interesting. I often wonder whether we are getting dumber

gali · Post by **gali** » 10 Jun 2018, 09:48

A book that deals with the cultural effects of literacy and orality sounds too academic for me as well. It is great that the author managed to present her ideas in an easy manner. That the book is well researched is to its credit. Not my cup of tea, but I am glad you found the book interesting. Thank you for the review!

Ana-Maria-Diana · Post by **Ana-Maria-Diana** » 10 Jun 2018, 09:51

It seems quite interesting and as a student of Literature I will give it a try. Thanks for the review.

chupke07 · Post by **chupke07** » 10 Jun 2018, 09:58

HouseOfAtticus wrote: ↑29 Dec 2017, 06:07 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Literacy and orality" by Ruth finnegan.]

4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review

“How will developments in information technology affect political participation, for example, economic development, the quality of life or human communication? Will ‘IT ’ revolutionize current forms of organization and democratic participation, or will it merely reinforce existing power divisions? Are we entering a new age with new modes of thinking, new concepts of the self, new notions of what it is to be a ‘human being’?“

The book Literacy and Orality by Ruth Finnegan is a literary text that deals with the conception and evolution of two seminal cultural practices that are universally observed and celebrated: literacy and orality. It attempts to dismantle preconceived notions and dominant social assumptions about these vastly misunderstood cultural practices. It also attempts to understand the nature of “communication and its implications for human thought and action in a comparative and historical framework”. It also adds value to recent works of social anthropology and history, infusing heavily elements of first-hand field researched into the theories that the author has presented to the reader.

As a literature student, I feel like this is perhaps the most interesting text I have come across in quite a while. The eloquence and finesse with which the author presents such complicated ideas with simplicity is quite characteristic of this author (as I found out after I read more of her books). The topics that the author has talked about are certainly esoteric and not everyone’s cup of tea, but the way the author has talked about these ideas has made them palatable to the mainstream crowd. Any literature, social anthropology, or history enthusiast will fall in love with this book. I found it to be an absolutely irresistible read.

The subject matter of this text is evidently literacy and orality, two indispensable cultural practices that have invariably endured the test of time. The narrative begins with talking about the recent IT revolution and its inevitable implications on the existing hierarchies and modes of thinking. It also explores the philosophical underpinnings of such a revolution and what it can mean for humanity. From there it takes us to West Africa to better understand the subject matter. The simple question is this: “Are ‘oral’ peoples necessarily unreflective, simple or concrete in their thinking? “

While I certainly understand that this is an esoteric text and would appeal to a certain crowd, I strongly feel that this text deserves 4 out of 4 stars, for a number of reasons. The author has extensively researched before writing this text and has provided data to go with her theories. She has eloquently brought together different elements of history, literature, and social anthropology and created a unified, coherent, and wonderful text.

******
Literacy and orality
View: on Bookshelves

Like HouseOfAtticus's review? Post a comment saying so!

Such an interesting topic. The IT revolution is something we have all just accepted and I have never really thought about how it will change the future of communication. Literacy has already changed to include being technology literate as well as the traditional definition.

Rosebella · Post by **Rosebella** » 10 Jun 2018, 10:01

The book sounds well written in terms of the topic of literacy and orality. It doesn't appeal to me so I wouldn't read it.
You have written a great review that will aid the book find its target audience.

Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha · Post by **Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha** » 10 Jun 2018, 10:09

This is a well thought out review. It is detailed and it is candid and it was obviously the right book for you. I am glad you found it an interesting and educative read. I am willing to read it because I love literature.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 10 Jun 2018, 10:11

This is an educational non-fiction book that deals with technological advances and how they affect the concept of being human. I am not a big fan of books in this genre, but this book had an amazing onlinebookclub review that convinced me to read it. I rated the book 3 out of 4 stars.