The Singer of Technology

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2017

Andrew M. Pochatko Kent State University at Ashtabula

Abstract

Using frameworks from Ong, Turner, and Frohmann, the author analyzes excerpts from Hesiod’s Works and Days and from the Book of Exodus for technical features. These documents were found to contain technical information that was best used in face-to-face interaction. Further, the documents exhibit evidence of residual orality, an encroachment of oral register into written. These findings suggest that technical communication originates in the genres and oral registers of ancient cultures. Such details have been missed owing to a written bias of technical communication and of scholars who look upon such works only as literature. Presently, oral-based information is viewed as informal and less authoritative than written information. In the absence of writing, however, information can only be transmitted orally.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2017-10-01
DOI: 10.1177/0047281616646751
Open Access: Closed
Topics: technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

Raign (2022)

The Art of Ancient Mesopotamian Technical Manuals and Letters: The Origins of I…

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Keane (2022)

“Let me heare … if thou canst say”: The Utility of the Prayer Book Catechism (1…

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Keane (2020)

An Examination of the <i>Book of Common Prayer</i> as Technical Writing for an …

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Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Show all 6 →

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Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

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CrossRef global citation count: 3 View in citation network →