Secondary Orality

Ong comments on the current emergence of a second orality, one which is dominated by electronic technology and incorporates elements from both written and printed forms as well as a heritage from oral tradition (171).

In further discussing orality Ong reminds us that orality is "evanescent," not permanent. The spoken word exists only in the moment of its being spoken. That is, it exists only as it is fading from existence. Then, after the reverberations of the uttered sound cease, nothing remains but the memory of the sound (Ong 31-32).

Writing and print provide a one-way, permanent document. However, an electronic document using hypertextual elements returns us to more fluid, shifting, open-ended communication. Ong notes with the evolution of electronic technology, a major shift is taking place: the shift from print to electronic literacy. "Writing and print and the computer are all ways of technologizing the word" (80).

The relationship between technology and human society is complex: some see technology as promise, while others construe it as threat.

These technologies belong to an age of secondary orality (an orality not antecedent to writing and print, as primary orality is, but consequent upon and dependent upon writing and print).