SLAV 512, October 16, 2003
Their questions
Assigning tale texts &endash; the tales themselves
INCANTATIONS AND CHARMS
Zagovory &endash; the power of the word
Representative power in general
Topics of zagovory &endash; what are they about
What do the seek to accomplish
Under what circumstances are they used
They are also called zaklinaniia
Called molitvy by the folk themselves
Zaklinaniia on Minyonok video
Now &endash; not that much used except those that have general currency
Can be spoken by anyone, not just specialist
Though theoretically all are available to all people
Example of general currency &endash; ikota (the hiccup charm)
Current serious purpose &endash; again called molitvy
In context of day-to-day behavior and prayer
Under special need circumstances &endash; egg ceremony
Wax ceremony
CD examples &endash; Kliaus
Old type zaklinaniia have a certain structure &endash; Ryan
Translated examples also in Ryan
PROVERBS AND RIDDLES
Proverbs 1st &endash; what are they and what do they do?
When does one use them?
English examples
Contradictory proverbs
To codify and encapsulate in an ambiguous situation
Right course of action is NOT clear
Good fences make good neighbors
Analyze
2 proverbs one in opposition to the other
Out of sight &endash; out of mind
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
What sort of circumstance, behavior would prompt the saying of these proverbs?
Has to be questionable behavior
He who hesitates is lost
Look before you leap
These explain an upsetting circumstance through traditional wisdom
Proof/confirmation of traditional outlook
RIDDLES
As games for children &endash; to teach
What kind of knowledge?
For ritual purposes &endash; to test and make sure that someone is part of the same culture
Used in weddings
Reflected in tales &endash; riddling episodes as male/female contest
To test suitability for marriage
Used for testing in general &endash; as password
US military
Russian and other
Riddles as part of jokes &endash; for kids and adults
What is black and white and read/red all over?
What do you get if you cross X and Y?
Pretend obscene
Teaching aspect
Teaching culture
Certain outlook, perspective
Aspect of play in teaching
Teaching through practice
TALES
What are they?
What belongs in this category?
Basic &endash; animal
Magic
Everyday life
On to legends/fabulates/memorates
Are tales still told?
In US?
Elsewhere ?
Compare airline poop legend and snake husband tale in terms of function
Both narrate things that cannot be said
They say them in a round-about way
Tale-like narratives on TV, in movies