Final answer:
Oral formulae are repeated phrases or expressions that enhance sports commentary by making the presentation more engaging. They mirror historical oral traditions and cater to cultural discourse, providing an identity and relatable entertainment to the audience. In sports commentary, these are not scripted but rather spontaneous, enhancing the rhythmic and captivating delivery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oral formulae are repeated phrases or expressions that enhance the commentary, thereby answering the question as option C. These formulae are important to sports commentary because they provide recognizable and memorable elements for listeners, creating a more engaging and dynamic presentation. Mimicking the oral traditions from history, they help in creating a sense of identity and can convey the energy of the game. They are often spontaneous and may reflect the cultural or discursive patterns of the commentator's background. Using oral formulae is a way to channel the excitement of the sport and make the commentary more relatable and entertaining for the audience.
While option A refers to scripts used by sportscasters, oral formulae often go beyond predefined scripts, incorporating impromptu responses to the live action of sports. Option B suggests recited poems during games, which is not reflective of typical sports broadcasting. Option D, relating to song lyrics performed during halftime, is an entertainment aspect but not directly connected to the commentary of sports events. Instead, sports commentary relies on engaging oral expressions to captivate and maintain the listeners' attention, making the audience feel more connected to the game.
Victor Wooten's view that both music and verbal language are forms of expression (option B) encapsulates the essence of sports commentary, as sportscasters use their verbal expression to create a rhythmic and captivating narrative of the live action. Echoing the sentiment, sports are also a performance where the commentary plays a vital role in shaping the experience for the audience, similar to how performers in pre-Islamic culture would recite poems to express tribal identity and narrate stories.