COMMUNICATION IN LIFE-CYCLE RITUALS: CHANGES IN THE 20TH CENTURY (Komunikacia v obradoch zivotneho cyklu: zmeny v 20.storoci)

The article deals with changes which have occurred in types, contents and participants of communication in the life-cycle rituals (childbirth, wedding and funeral). The results of comparison of traditional vs. contemporary style of the ritual communication have shown that various types of mediated technical communication have expanded. A part of non-verbal elements - symbols was omitted. The direct participants of the ritual become also expedients of communication and not as previously, when this role was played by agents. Feedback is now dominated by verbal forms, whereas in the past, reactions had material or active nature (gifts, assistance). Multi functionality of ritual communication is still valid, but concerning its structure, aesthetic and prestigious functions tend to dominate. A new function of retrospective documentation has appeared.