سنت شفاهی و زبان؛ پژوهشی موردی بر روی گات‌ها

Oral tradition is one of the important subjects in the history of the Persian language and literature, which, from several perspectives, requires reconsideration. In this research, relying on some major Arabic, English, and Persian sources, we first examined the oral tradition in primitive cultures, then compared it with the oral tradition in ancient Iran. Oral tradition is one of the most significant foundations directly connected with the sacred word, as exemplified in this article by the ancient Arabs and Iranians. Among the most important results of this research is the finding that oral tradition, from a linguistic and functional perspective, enabled human beings to find a way to the mysteries of the unseen world. For instance, one of the most important manifestations of the ancient oral tradition, along with religious and ritual hymns, is the worship of deities, particularly the praise of the gods of ancient times. In this way, the invocation and glorification of ancient gods constitute an inherent characteristic of the oral tradition in this period.
Keywords:
Ancient cultures and languages, primitive societies, oral tradition, Gathas.
Introduction:
Research on oral tradition is highly challenging. At present, numerous studies have been conducted on oral tradition among different nations, which have yielded desirable results in the discovery of mysteries and secrets of the world. However, due to the lack of reliable information about the oral tradition in ancient Iran, comparative studies are particularly difficult and, at times, inevitably require analogy and estimation. This research, relying on major sources, first addresses oral tradition in primitive cultures and then compares it with ancient Iran. In the second part of the article, based on a section of the Gathas, discussion and analysis of the oral tradition in ancient Iran and its place in the ancient world are presented.

Materials and Methods
The texts and sources employed in this research first address oral traditions among the Bedouin tribes and other cultures, which have been discussed in different sections of the article. In the second part of the article, with an emphasis on certain portions of the Gathas, these texts are analyzed and examined in relation to this topic in ancient Iran. The methodology of this study relies on the use of library resources, and for the purpose of analysis and critique, important Persian, English, and Arabic sources have been utilized.
 
Discussion and Review
In this study, the concept of oral tradition refers to that form of human experience which, for a long period of history, existed without any familiarity with writing. Humanity perceived and interpreted the world in ways fundamentally different from those shaped by literacy today. Numerous articles and books in English have sought to describe this worldview. The necessity of this research becomes clear once we recognize that, in pre-Islamic Iran, oral tradition played a highly significant role, deeply interwoven with the culture and civilization of ancient Iran—for instance, in religious hymns. This importance is equally evident in Islam, particularly in the recitation of the Qur’an. Accordingly, one of the central hypotheses of this research is that praise and worship of deities were intrinsically connected to the oral mindset, and that the defining characteristics of oral tradition must be taken into account. This study therefore addresses oral tradition under four main headings: “Definitions of Oral Tradition,” “The Sacredness of Oral Tradition,” “The Mechanisms of Oral Tradition,” and “The Transition from Orality to Literacy.”

Conclusion
The issue of oral tradition and the understanding of the oral mind is, on the one hand, a subject upon which relatively little research has been conducted, and, on the other hand, one of considerable complexity, requiring careful attention and extensive discussion. Since it allows us to probe into the mysteries of the primitive human mind, research in this domain holds particular significance for us Iranians. In this article, we first refer to the theories of scholars across different cultures—especially with regard to the Arabs—in order to establish a foundation for understanding the matter. Ultimately, by comparing their perspectives on oral tradition with that of Iran, we reach the conclusion that within oral tradition, the primitive human mind is engaged with issues that entail specific requirements. Among the most important of these requirements are the identification of word and object (signifier and signified) and the belief in inspiration. By attempting to comprehend the oral mind, and with reference to examples from the Gathas, we can begin to discern how, in ancient Iran, the very structure of oral mentality intrinsically necessitated hymns whose content was centered on the praise of gods and supernatural beings exerting dominion over human life. Not only was the recitation of such hymns believed to have a direct impact on bringing about favorable events and averting calamities, but mastery of this mode of expression (namely, the memorization of religious hymns) in itself constituted a source of power—for example, for the Zoroastrian priesthood. Nevertheless, one of the challenges underlying the enigmatic nature of ancient texts such as the Gathas is precisely the fact that their foundation rests upon oral tradition and the primitive mentality unfamiliar with writing. Consequently, if we are to take meaningful steps toward understanding these texts, and if, furthermore, we wish to approach the worldview of ancient peoples through the valuable body of research surrounding these works, we must acknowledge the interrelation between oral tradition and the primitive mind, and pursue further research, debate, and analysis in this field with greater determination.