Tradition as Truth and Communication deals particularly with oral communication and focuses on the privileged role of licensed speakers and the ritual contexts in which certain aspects of tradition are characteristically transmitted.

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Conserved world-views or salient memories?; 2. How to think with 'empty' notions; 3. Criteria of truth; 4. Customised speech (I): truth without intentions; 5. Customised speech (II): truth without meaning; 6. Customised persons: initiation, competence and position; 7. Conclusion and programme; Notes; Bibliography; Index.