Final answer:
Written language is essential for states to record laws, taxes, and achievements, and helps historians construct accurate narratives. Oral traditions are valuable but can change over time, whereas writing preserves information beyond the capacity of human memory. Written records also support cultural and language preservation and revival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Importance of Written Language in History
Written language plays a crucial role in the preservation and communication of history. For states and societies, it is necessary to keep track of tax revenue, communicate with officials, and lay down the law. Leaders often use written records to immortalize their achievements, such as conquests and battles, strengthening their exercise of power.
In contrast, in small, stateless societies, oral traditions may suffice as they encapsulate the shared memories and wisdom crucial to community life. However, without written language, history becomes vulnerable to alterations with every retelling. Moreover, the storage of vast information outside the human brain, afforded by writing, has fundamentally changed society's capacity to amass and communicate knowledge.
For historians, written records provide a more accurate evidence for constructing narratives of the past. Oral traditions, while valuable, can be more susceptible to change over time. Writing also allows for the preservation and revival of languages and cultures, even those considered dormant. Practically, computers and contemporary technology further the study of history by analyzing texts and supporting language revitalization efforts.