Page 170 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

68
toward the others, incomplete and seeking others to make the position complete.” They seek to
appeal to the conscience of the audience. Thus, indicative and descriptive language is preferred

to the imperative or prescriptive in communication.

Second, Asian communication values and expects the participation of the audience in

speech. The listeners’ role in Asian communication is to connect the speech to their own life.

Thus, it may be “insulting by their audience by invading the area of the listeners in the course of

speech” if speakers explains extensively and provide applications in detail. Consequently, a

descriptive style of language is preferable to the Korean ear since it invites the listeners to the

conclusion of the speech, to a voluntary consensus with the speaker and to the decision to act.

Thus, Orientals desire the contemplative moment at the end of the speech. Third, the Asian

communication is, therefore characterized by its indirection.

Jesus’ style of communication and strategy reflect much of the Oriental way of

communication. His use of dialogue, inviting the audience into his preaching, use of open ended

parable, and thought provoking aphorisms are the poignant examples. Unfortunately, the

language of Korean preaching was much of imperative rather than indicative, prescriptive

instead of descriptive, and hortative. Korean preachers must master contemporary rhetorical

forms and techniques employed in their society, as Jesus did. They must consider the Oriental

style of sermonic language instead of simply imitating the western analytic, discursive, abstract

mode of language.

69
Korea society was an oral culture that retained a rich history of oral literature. Dong

Cho explains the oral literature in Korea:

68 John C. Condon & Fathi Yousef, An Introduction to International Communication