Before words were written: Oral chants and interpretation of pictographic manuscripts

Abstract

The evolution of societies and cultures from orality to literacy has sparked broad interest. The present study analyzes the interference between these two aspects as evidenced in Dongba and Daba oral chants, following the introduction of their original pictographic scripts, through the inconsistencies found in the texts. Inconsistency is a common feature of oral composition. Typical inconsistencies derive from the coalescence of themes, each possessing complete meanings as independent blocks. Moreover, they arise during the rhythmic-mnemonic process when new concepts are integrated into existing formulas. The omission technique, alternatively referred to as keyword-based narration, is employed in this procedure. A lack of awareness about the distinctions between the mindsets of orality and literacy may result in misinterpretations of early manuscripts used by Dongba and Daba priests as mnemonic devices. Multiple interpretations could arise because the pictographs do not represent a syllable-by-syllable transcription of the spoken language. Furthermore, the omission technique in oral composition, when projected into early literacy, might manifest as literal inconsistencies. The study of these phenomena illustrates the characteristics of primary orality, which might be unfamiliar to those accustomed to literacy, adding a new typological dimension to the dynamic continuum of interaction between orality and literacy.