For the issue of the relationship between written and oral speech in rhetoric

Abstract

The subject of the present study is the relationship between oral and written speech within the context of rhetoric. The paper aims to analyze the fundamental characteristics of these two forms of speech, their linguistic and communicative functions, and to identify the specific nature of their coexistence in rhetorical discourse.

The relevance of the research is determined by the transformation of contemporary public communi­cation, in which oral and written forms are becoming increasingly interdependent. Although the distinctions between oral and written speech have been widely studied, this paper examines their coexistence within rhetoric as a complex and hybrid linguistic-communicative act – an aspect that has so far been addressed only fragmentarily in Georgian linguistics. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that it explores not only the boundaries between oral and written speech, but also their dynamic interdependence within specific socio-historical contexts.

The study is based on descriptive-analytical and comparative methods and integrates the theoretical principles of functional stylistics and rhetoric. At the first stage, the concepts of oral and written speech and their linguistic and communicative characteristics are examined, with particular attention paid to the hybrid nature of rhetoric. At the second stage, a textual and stylistic analysis of samples of Georgian rhetoric from various fields is conducted, evaluating the features of written preparation and oral realization of rhetorical texts. Through comparative analysis, the mechanisms of opposition and complementarity between oral and written speech are identified.

The main objective of the paper is to determine the functional and structural relationship between written and oral speech in rhetoric. To achieve this objective, the study: defines the linguistic characteristics of oral and written speech; analyzes the differences between these two forms; describes the intermediate and transitional nature of rhetoric between oral and written modes of speech; demonstrates that rhetoric represents an organic synthesis of both forms, often based on a previously written text but ultimately realized through oral performance; and examines how this synthesis influences the effectiveness and structural formation of rhetorical discourse.

The research demonstrates that rhetoric cannot be considered solely within the framework of either oral or written speech. Rather, it constitutes a hybrid activity in which written speech provides pre-structured content and organization, while oral speech contributes emotional engagement, audience interaction, and the potential for improvisation. This complexity grants rhetoric a unique role in both verbal creativity and public communication.