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Situational vs. Abstract

Oral

Concepts are used in situational, operational frames of reference that are minimally abstract (Ong 38-57). Lists of information such as genealogies, gifts, or even insults are presented only in the context of a story, never isolated.

Example

    C.D. Bales: [challenged to think of twenty insults better than "Big Nose"] Let's start with..

    • Obvious: 'scuse me, is that your nose or did a bus park on your face?
    • Meteorological: everybody take cover, she's going to blow!
    • Fashionable: you know, you could de-emphasize your nose if you wore something larger, like.. Wyoming.
    • Personal: well, here we are, just the three of us.
    • Punctual: all right, Delbman, your nose was on time but YOU were fifteen minutes late!
    • Envious: Oooohhhhh, I wish I were you! Gosh, to be able to smell your own ear!
    • Naughty: uh, pardon me, sir, some of the ladies have asked if you wouldn't mind putting that thing away.
    • Philosophical: you know, it's not the size of a nose that's important, it's what's IN IT that matters.
    • Humorous: laugh and the world laughs with you. Sneeze, and it's goodbye, Seattle!
    • Commercial: hi, I'm Earl Scheib, and I can paint that nose for $39.95!
    • Polite: uh, would you mind not bobbing your head? The, uh, orchestra keeps changing tempo.
    • Melodic: Everybody. He's got...
      Everyone: [singing] The whole world in his nose!

      C.D. Bales:

    • Sympathetic: aw, what happened? Did your parents lose a bet with God?
    • Complimentary: you must love the little birdies to give them this to perch on.
    • Scientific: Say, does that thing there influence the tides?
    • Obscure: whoa! I'd hate to see the grindstone. Well, think about it.
    • Inquiring: when you stop to smell the flowers, are they afraid?
    • French: saihr, ze pigs have refused to find any more truffles until you leave!
    • Pornographic: finally, a man who can satisfy two women at once! How many is that?

      Dean: Fourteen, Chief!
      C.D. Bales:

    • Religious: the Lord giveth... and He just kept on giving, didn't he?
    • Disgusting: Say, who mows your nose hair?
    • Paranoid: keep that guy away from my cocaine!
    • Aromatic: it must wonderful to wake up in the morning and smell the coffee.. in Brazil.
    • Appreciative: Oooh, how original! Most people just have their teeth capped.
      [he pauses, pretending to be stumped, while the crowd urges him on]
      C.D. Bales: All right.
    • Dirty: your name wouldn't be Dick, would it?

      C.D. Bales: Flat-nosed, flat-faced, flathead.[Dodging a punch and then felling the assailant.] Did he fall yet? [Thump. He walks out confidently.]

• The table of nations in Gen. 5 traces the first lineage.

Genesis 5:1-32 (NRSV)
1 This is the list of the descendants of Adam. When God created humankind, he made them in the likeness of God.
2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them "Humankind" when they were created.
3 When Adam had lived one hundred thirty years, he became the father of a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.
4 The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years; and he had other sons and daughters.
5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years; and he died.
6 When Seth had lived one hundred five years, he became the father of Enosh.
7 Seth lived after the birth of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and had other sons and daughters.
8 Thus all the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years; and he died.
9 When Enosh had lived ninety years, he became the father of Kenan.
10 Enosh lived after the birth of Kenan eight hundred fifteen years, and had other sons and daughters.
11 Thus all the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years; and he died.
12 When Kenan had lived seventy years, he became the father of Mahalalel.
13 Kenan lived after the birth of Mahalalel eight hundred and forty years, and had other sons and daughters.
14 Thus all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years; and he died.
15 When Mahalalel had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Jared.
16 Mahalalel lived after the birth of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and had other sons and daughters.
17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years; and he died.
18 When Jared had lived one hundred sixty-two years he became the father of Enoch.
19 Jared lived after the birth of Enoch eight hundred years, and had other sons and daughters.
20 Thus all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years; and he died.
21 When Enoch had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Methuselah.
22 Enoch walked with God after the birth of Methuselah three hundred years, and had other sons and daughters.
23 Thus all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.
24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him.
25 When Methuselah had lived one hundred eighty-seven years, he became the father of Lamech.
26 Methuselah lived after the birth of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and had other sons and daughters.
27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years; and he died.
28 When Lamech had lived one hundred eighty-two years, he became the father of a son;
29 he named him Noah, saying, "Out of the ground that the LORD has cursed this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands."
30 Lamech lived after the birth of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and had other sons and daughters.
31 Thus all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years; and he died.
32 After Noah was five hundred years old, Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 

Literate

Concepts used in visualist, immobile world of ideas. Lists of information such as genealogies, gifts, put-downs, great words, and types of laughs are presented for the record they provide, or their inherent value apart from any story. The data may serve a variety of people who may use them in different contexts, or exist out of context for their own sakes.

Example

Exception: Primally-strong emotions trigger a default back to the oral mode.

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