ORALITY AND WRITING: FROM THE DICHOTOMOUS PERSPECTIVE TO THE SOCIAL PRACTICES OF LANGUAGE

Abstract

The relationship between orality and writing is a relevant topic in linguistic studies, especially regarding the understanding of language practices and their implications for the teaching of Portuguese. Historically, these modalities were interpreted from perspectives that emphasized their differences and, in some approaches, attributed to writing a position of supremacy over speech. However, the development of linguistic studies and research on literacy has contributed to the construction of perspectives that recognize the specificities of each modality, as well as their relations of continuity and complementarity. On this basis, this study aims to discuss the transformations in theoretical conceptions of the relationship between orality and writing, considering everything from historically consolidated interpretations to approaches that understand language as a social practice. Methodologically, a bibliographic, qualitative study is carried out, grounded in studies on orality, writing, textual genres and literacy. The discussion shows that understanding these modalities requires overcoming rigid interpretations and considering the conditions of production, circulation and reception of discourses. It is concluded that orality and writing should be understood as distinct but interrelated modalities, whose uses are conditioned by communicative practices and by the sociocultural contexts in which they take place.