We’ve been seeing an assignment this week that has come up in the past (maybe). Since this question is a bit challenging, I am hoping that you’ll add any suggestions you have as comments to this blog post.
The Question
The student I helped asked me for help finding information on an “illiterate” tribe (and that tribe or culture has to be “illiterate” to this day). I’m pretty sure that what he meant (and negotiation of the question didn’t get that far as the student didn’t seem super confident about what he was really after) was a tribe or culture that has no written language. If you have more information on this question (what course it is for, what the real assignment is, etc.) please chime in here.
Who Are the Information Producers?
Any suggestions beyond these?
- anthropologists
- linguists
- communications studies scholars
- groups devoted to preserving languages or, more broadly, cultural groups (such as Cultural Survival)?
How Do You Identify the Culture or Tribe?
I’m not sure what the official term or phrase is to describe groups that have no written language. Any suggestions beyond these as search words?
- purely oral society or purely oral culture (is the word “purely” required to distinguish those cultures where there is a written language but most communication takes place orally?)
- no written language
- pre-literate (I’m not so sure about this one)
Any ideas about other sources that might work where you can plug in the best search terms besides these?
What Sources Are Best for Researching the Culture or Tribe Identified
This is a bit easier. Here is what I came up with:
Rita and I posted to the blog about this in January 2008. As it has become apparent this week that this is a recurring assignment, I am hopeful that we can get more clarity on the assignment and the best way to identify a tribe or group that fits the bill. Please add your ideas here.
