An Analysis of the Socio-cultural Implications of Orality in Iran. Issue 2 (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yeganeh, Kia Hamid
• Is Part Of: Journal of developing societies. Volume 39:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 217
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: Cultural values -- orality -- literacy -- spoken language -- written language; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- History -- Periodicals; 909.09724
• DOI: 10.1177/0169796X231162274
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-796X

Abstract

This article relies on a leading line of anthropological research on the socio-cultural implications of orality in Iran. The analyses reveal that the prevalence of oral language in Iran is associated with a wide range of implications, such as redundancy, emotionality, ambiguity, high-context culture traits, the lack of critical thinking, the gap between speech and writing, the importance of poetry, restricted scientific and technical knowledge, religiosity, traditionalism, the centrality of negotiating, old-fashioned entrepreneurship, and authoritarian governance and leadership. The article examines the practical consequences of orality on Iranian culture, social relations, and politics.