Why can Oceanic oral texts remain traditional while allowing some flexibility in wording?

Oceanic oral texts maintain their traditional character while allowing for flexibility in wording because they are governed by specific structural rules that balance formalization with adaptability.12

While many texts, such as recitatives (songs or chants), are formally rigid and must be communicated in an unvarying manner, other forms like public orations are designed to be more fluid. This flexibility is possible because:1

• Rule-Governed Frameworks: Performers utilize memory aids such as rhythm, stock formulas, and phrases to maintain the integrity of the tradition while allowing for freedom in syntax and lexical choice.12
• Contextual Responsiveness: In many Oceanic societies, the significance of words, symbols, and places is not fixed; rather, the vocabulary is used in a way that accounts for the momentary interests and circumstances of the audience present.3
• Genre-Specific Limits: Within genres like public oratory, speakers are granted the right to vary their presentation within established limits, allowing them to tailor discourses for specific life stages or political needs while remaining within the bounds of the genre.1

Ultimately, this allows the tradition to remain coherent while evolving to meet the needs of the community.32