From non-literate to literate practice, the process and effects of introducing a writing system in a cultural community of the Republic of the Philippines

grantor: University of TorontoThis thesis looks at the way literacy has been introduced to and applied by the Cotabato Manobo people of the southern Philippines. Literate practice for the Manobo people is set in social contexts, which help define the way literacy is used both individually and corporately. Using a model of social organization, which ranks societies on the degree of group orientation and the degree of hierarchical structures, the Manobo people can be identified as generally individualistic. This social organization model somewhat parallels, and further highlights, Scribner's three literacy metaphors. Thus, the Manobos are found to be using literacy in line with Scribner's metaphor of literacy as adaptation. By introducing literacy in ways that fit with the Manobo's social organization and ideology, literacy has had an impact on the community and has grown into literate practice. Becoming literate has had little economic impact, but has supported a move toward greater group cohesion.M.A