“What do we mean by organizational vocabularies,

narratives, sagas, rites and rituals?”

                We have discussed in class the importance of the above mentioned elements in an organization.  First, vocabularies are an important part of an organization’s culture.  Dr. Kasch spoke about the “Valley” vocabulary which included words and phrases such as “Oh My God,”  “Really,” and “Double Barf.”  These types of words and phrases help to define this organization’s culture.  Another example of a type of vocabulary would be the medical profession.  Doctors and nurses often speak in terms only others within the profession can understand.  The following hyperlink illustrates this idea: http://images.bestwebbuys.com/muze/books/96/0721603696.jpg    Vocabularies also make up a culture’s language.  A quote on page 84 of the textbook illustrates this idea well:  “Words don’t just name; they also create.  As we discussed elsewhere in this book, talking about terrorism in terms of a ‘war’ is quite different from calling it a ‘crime’ since the words allow for or imply different systems of action.” – pg. 84

   Burke states that there are four categories of words: terms for things like objects, terms for relationships (like friendship), terms for belief systems and ideologies (like capitalism or democracy) and terms for the ineffable (such as spirits).

            Narratives are also important to an organization’s culture, as they tell stories of past experiences and what is acceptance within the culture.  The quote that illustrates this well says:  “If you don’t know (your family’s) history, then you don’t know anything.  You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.” – Michael Crichton  (www.home.att.net/quotations/lifestory.com)

   The book tells us that narratives are both informational and persuasive.  An example that the book gives is that stories or narratives about crisis situations in organizations serve as a model as to what are good and bad responses in crisis situations.  Dr. Kasch went on to tell us that employee events, like dinners and softball games are important events where employees may hear these stories and pick up on how they should act in certain situations.

            Another important aspect of organizational cultures is the saga.  A saga tells a sacred story that dramatizes what the organization is about.  Sagas are usually told in heroic or dramatic terms.  Over time, facts may be embellished with fictional details as many more people tell the story.  An example that we used in class was an annual family vacation.  The family vacationed for a week, and either at the end or beginning of the week, the grandfather told a long story about the adventures of water skiing from one end of the lake to the other.  Eventually, this story may be passed down to other family members and they will tell their own version or perception of the story, which may include some embellished details.nd in an organization.  The first rite is the rite of passage.  This is used to transition a person or people from one role to the next.  An example of this would be a promotion.  The second is a rite of degradation, which is used to fire or replace members.  This is the usually negative rite out of the six.  The following hyperlink demonstrates a rite of degradation: http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/cza0197l.jpg 

Another idea that could be considered a rite of degradation that we discussed in class is hazing.  The picture below illustrates hazing:This image illustrates the rite of degradation. Other members of an organization are hazing the man in the picture.  In class, we discussed the idea that hazing is defined as something a member of an organization is forced to do that not every other member of the organization is participating in as well.  We also discussed that it is difficult to define hazing specifically. 

 Thirdly, a rite of enhancement is used to provide public recognition of an accomplishment.  The rite of renewal can be used to motivate members of the organization with new ideas or practices.  Finally, rites of integration are used to promote a feeling of togetherness within the culture.  The quote that encompasses all of these rites states:  “Through rites and ceremonies we express who we are, where we belong, where we come from, and where we are headed.  Rites and ceremonies communicate more than what we see on the surface, more than their literal content.” – pg. 86

            Finally, rituals can be used as an important aspect of the culture of an organization.  Rituals make members of the organization feel special and like they are part of the organization.  The best example of this that we have discussed is the sorority or fraternity example.  Member of these groups often use ceremonies, which helps to put the following quote in context: “Ceremony and ritual spring from our heart of hearts: those who govern us know it well, for they would sooner deny us bread than dare alter the observance of tradition.” – F. Gonzalez-Crussi.   Members of these organizations use rituals to create part of their culture.  In many cases, these rituals are secret and only members of the organization are allowed to be informed of and practice the rituals.  It is even possible that years later, a member of a fraternity will meet another member from a different chapter at a bar or in an airport, and they will have an instant connection because they have both performed these sacred rituals.

            We did not discuss religious rituals in class, but I think that religion is also part of the ritual group.  Followers of many religions participate in rituals at least once a week, sometimes more.  The following hyperlink demonstrates one of these religious rituals: http://www.pattayamail.com/570/pictures/k3_2_570.jpg

            Another common type of ritual is athletic rituals.  Teams do certain things often to promote team bonding and to make each member feel like they are part of the team.  The image below is a picture of a football team in a huddle before the Homecoming game.

This image of a football team in their huddle before the beginning of a game illustrates a pre-game ritual.  Each member of the team is involved in the ritual, whether they play in the actual game or not.  It allows the members of the team to feel a special bond with their teammates.

APA Citations

Anonymous.  (n.d.)  Reading Quotations.  (Online).  2-1-2005. 

            www.nonstopenglish.com/reading/quotations

Anonymous.  (n.d.)  Life Quotes.  (Online).  2-1-2005.

            www.home.att.net/quotations/lifestory.com

Anonymous.  (n.d.)  Huddle.  (Online).  2-2-2005. 

            www.cam.K12.il.us/homecominggame.html

Cheney, G., Christensen, L., Zorn, T., Ganesh, S.  (2004).  Organizational   

            Communication in an Age of Globalization.  Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press