THE EVOLUTION OF ENGLISH LITERARY TRADITION: FROM ORAL BALLADS OF WRITTEN CANON

Abstract

This article discusses the historical transformation of English literary tradition from its oral origins to the establishment of a written canon. It analyzes how oral ballads, once transmitted by word of mouth, gradually evolved into written literary works that shaped English cultural and intellectual history. The study highlights the interconnectedness between oral creativity and written authorship, demonstrating that the English literary identity is deeply rooted in both communal and individual forms of expression.