The Native American Oral Tradition: Voices of the Spirit and Soul Contributor(s): Einhorn, Lois J. (Author) |
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ISBN: 027595790X ISBN-13: 9780275957902 Publisher: Praeger
Binding Type: Hardcover - See All Available Formats & Editions Published: April 2000 Annotation: Einhorn, a rhetorical scholar, explores the rich history of the Native American oral tradition, focusing on stories, orations, prayers, and songs. Because American Indians existed without written language for many generations, their culture was strongly dependent on an oral tradition for continuity and preservation. Not surprisingly, they spent many hours perfecting the art of oral communication and learning methods for committing their messages to memory. Einhorn thoroughly examines the important aspects of this unique oral tradition from a rhetorical perspective, covering individual speakers, nations, and time periods. In the first half of the book, the author examines how the Native American oral tradition has affected their cultural assumptions, principles, values, beliefs, and experiences. These chapters focus primarily on characteristics of the Native American oral tradition that transcend individual nations. The second half of the book includes translated transcripts of representative speeches, stories, prayers, and songs. In accessible and compelling prose, Einhorn discusses the sanctity of the spoken word to Native Americans, concluding that their oral tradition helps to account for the survival of their people and their culture. |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Language Arts & Disciplines | Rhetoric - Social Science | Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Social Science | Ethnic Studies - General |
Dewey: 398.089 |
LCCN: 99045989 |
Lexile Measure: 1200(Not Available) |
Physical Information: 0.76" H x 6.38" W x 9.58" L (1.04 lbs) 192 pages |
Themes: - Ethnic Orientation - Native American |
Review Citations: Reference and Research Bk News 08/01/2000 pg. 178 Choice 03/01/2001 pg. 1268 |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: Einhorn, a rhetorical scholar, explores the rich history of the Native American oral tradition, focusing on stories, orations, prayers, and songs. Because American Indians existed without written language for many generations, their culture was strongly dependent on an oral tradition for continuity and preservation. Not surprisingly, they spent many hours perfecting the art of oral communication and learning methods for committing their messages to memory. Einhorn thoroughly examines the important aspects of this unique oral tradition from a rhetorical perspective, covering individual speakers, nations, and time periods. In the first half of the book, the author examines how the Native American oral tradition has affected their cultural assumptions, principles, values, beliefs, and experiences. These chapters focus primarily on characteristics of the Native American oral tradition that transcend individual nations. The second half of the book includes translated transcripts of representative speeches, stories, prayers, and songs. In accessible and compelling prose, Einhorn discusses the sanctity of the spoken word to Native Americans, concluding that their oral tradition helps to account for the survival of their people and their culture. |
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