在文字沒有產生以前，口頭文化在人類發展早期佔據非常重要的地位。台灣原住民泰雅族人直到現在仍沒有文字，有關族群的歷史、道德、規範和知識等都依靠著一種特殊的口頭吟唱形式得以傳承，這種特殊的口頭表達形式名為「朗唱Rosho」（意為「吟唱」）。「朗唱Rosho」不是一種簡單意義上的吟誦和唱歌，它幾乎可以涵蓋泰雅族人生活的方方面面，並作為泰雅族特有的文化形式流傳至今。近年來由於外來文化的影響，這一悠久歷史傳統文化正瀕臨滅絕。本文通過實地調研，重點考察了作為泰雅族精神支柱的「朗唱」的歷史變遷和現狀，論述這種特殊的口頭傳承文化形式在族群認同等方面所起的重要作用和意義，並深入研究當今世界繼承和發揚「朗唱」傳統文化的可能性。

This work focuses on people from ancient times who have expressed themselves through an oral culture. In its early stages of development an oral culture has no written language. As an example, the Atayal tribe, the aborigine of Taiwan has no written language even now. Therefore, throughout the centuries their history, moral, rule and wisdom have been transmitted orally. Of all others, they have the special way of oral culture named Rosho. It is not only to sing but to chant. Rosho covers important aspects of the match and the intercession. It is not a mere communication of records. Rosho plays a significant function. It passed the native tongue down from generation to generation. And it protects Atayal tribe’s identity. However, these days there is an increasing tendency for external factors to gradually bring about change in this long-established tradition. This paper presents research on the pattern of change of Rosho in the Atayal tribe, with the understanding that this pattern can be applied to other cultures.