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Word or phrase describing preference for written language over spoken language

English Language & Usage Asked on June 23, 2021

What is a word or phrase describing the prioritization of or preference for written language over spoken language?

Example 1:

They have a [insert word/phrase here]. They continue to write their language exclusively using a millennia-old literary form that has long diverged from their spoken language.

Example 2:

Ali learned to write fluently in a dozen languages, but he did not bother to learn how to pronounce most of the words he writes. He has a [insert word/phrase here].

My first guess was “graphological bias,” but that doesn’t seem correct, as Google phrase match search returns only two results for that phrase.

2 Answers

If you don't mind alliteration...

They have a penchant for primitive print. They continue to write their language exclusively using a millennia-old literary form that has long diverged from their spoken language.

penchant - (n.) - a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something

Answered by acvill on June 23, 2021

That's called ‘graphocentrism’:

Graphocentrism or scriptism is a typically unconscious interpretative bias in which writing is privileged over speech. [Wikipedia]

The opposite is phonocentrism which is the belief that speech is superior to writing.

Answered by Decapitated Soul on June 23, 2021

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