"Lauga Seu" & Distraction Techniques

Good Friday morning!

Over the last week, I covered the basics of Rhetoric & Civil Discourse, the Sāmoan Tulāfale ("Orator"), and the role of Speech & Sacredness.

Today, I'm going to cover distraction techniques. Why? Because it's something I noticed while studying videos of orators this week - they were all very good at dealing with distractions.

And it's also a way for you to know how to deal with others who may try them on you (directly or indirectly).

Pattern Interrupts

As mentioned in my last edition, Sāmoan chiefly rhetoric has clear structures (or disposito components in classical Greek rhetoric).

After a speech is concluded, Tulāfales may engage in something known as lauga seu (or "interruption speech"). In modern psychology and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), this includes something known as pattern interrupts.¹ But let's break it down from a Sāmoan rhetoric perspective:

1. Obscure - use of obscure proverbial expressions with allegorical or mythological references. This is a way to test the knowledge of the other orator, to see how much they understand in order to be able to counter effectively.

2. Heckle - used to test the powers of concentration as well as the tenacity and intelligence of the guest orator (you might observe this at stand-up comedy performances). Often institutionalized and expected.

3. Confuse - anything that can be used to confuse. An example of this during a lauga seu is use of the statement such as, "Ua le o savaliga a'o le va i savaliga." This esoteric sentence pertains to matters both important (long) and unimportant (short), which translates to, "We will talk not only of important things, but we will also talk about things of less consequence." The entire sentence hinges on the knowledge of the legend wherein a sea urchin used its long spines for walking.²

These are some of the most common forms of interruption tactics used in Sāmoan rhetoric.

Modern Interrupts

If you're looking for more modern Western examples, the first person I recommend studying is Jordan Peterson.

Whether you like him or not, you have to respect the way he handles live debates. The same sort of interruption techniques mentioned in this newsletter is often used by his interviewers. So there's a lot you can learn from the way he flips things around:

The second person I recommend watching is the late Haunani-Kay Trask, a Hawaiian activist, and professor who was very articulate and held her own when it came to live debates on television. See her in action here:

What are some other distraction techniques you are aware of? Have you experienced any of the above yourself? What can you do differently moving forward?

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