Lecture 1

Introduction to folklore studies. Aims and

objectives of the course
 • Introduction;
I. General description of the course;
II. Aims and objectives of the course;
Content III. Summary of lecture topics throughout the
course;
• Conclusion.
• References.
Introduction
Folklore is a unique object of research. Studying it requires
the knowledge in the sphere of language functions, literary
critics, and ethnography. Folklore is closely connected, if not
intrinsic, to the notion of language picture of the world. The
folkloric works of different nations and cultures are both
different and – to some extent – similar. This course will
briefly and excitingly describe what folklore is, how it is used,
how it changed and extends, and a variety of other issues
related to its distribution, expansion, and memorization.
 • The aim of the course: to provide deep
knowledge of folklore and its role for
contemporary society.
• The objectives:
• To give an insight into the types and functions of
Aim and folklore;
objectives of • To dwell on fairy-tales, nursery rhymes, and
other types of folklore in the commemorative
the course aspect;
• To contrast the functions and features of different
types of folklore from the cognitive viewpoint;
• To provide an in-depth study of intonational
features of folkloric works.
 Lecture 1. Introduction to folklore studies.

Overview
Lecture 2. Mythology and folklore.

3. The international and intercultural aspects of folklore.

of lecture 4. Folkloric discourse.

topics
5. Intonational patterns of overall folkloric discourse.

6. A fairy-tale as a part of folklore. Its intonation.

7. Types of fairy-tales in folklore. Their intonation.

• 8. The plot of a fairy-tale. Motives.

• 9. Reading versus retelling a fairy-tale. Commemorative effect. Variants of

tales.

• 10. Other types of folkloric works. Proverbs. Nursery rhymes. Their intonation.

• 11. Kazakh folklore and mythology.

• 12. Kazakh fairy-tales: their intonation and other features.

• 13. English folklore and mythology.

• 14. English fairy-tales: their intonation and other features.

• 15. Commemorative, cognitive, world-forming and magical functions of

folklore.
 Folklore is art which is created by a
community: dances, folk songs,
fairy-tales, proverbs, nursery rhymes,
even costumes (and sometimes food)
Folklore – are included. For our course, written
what is it? and spoken types of folklore are
important.
Features of folklore
• Having no definite authors;
• Being passed through generations orally;
• Containing knowledge about the traditions and cultural
values of the community;
• Being the cultural heritage;
Further features of folklore are divided by its types.
 • A fairy-tale, a wonder tale, a magic tale, a
fairy story, a folk tale etc. – a short
A fairy-tale (commonly) story involving fantasy
elements, magical creatures, knights,
maidens, and adventures.
 • A proverb is a short and witty saying which
A proverb usually has rhyme and rhythm and is
conveyed orally to future generations.
 • Folk songs may be of different
types. They are dedicated to birth,
death, marriage, feasts,
celebrations, customs, and
traditions inside the community,
A folk song etc. They tend to be easy to
remember, they rarely exhibit
extreme stylistic furnishing, and
their overall style is colloquial.
 • Ballads are, indeed, folk songs of dark and
tragic nature. The majority of them are
dedicated to the fate of knights, kings, and
A ballad fighters. Some examples of folk ballads
include “The three ravens”, ballads about
Robin Hood, etc.
 • Nursery rhymes are short and calming folk
A nursery songs for children. They tend to be light and
rhyme entertaining in nature, for instance, the song
about Jack and Jill.
 • Curses can be an example of the magical
function of language. Their text requires
special attention, as they sometimes exhibit
A curse features of ballads and folk tales. Curses are
aimed at making the person uncomfortable
with the fierce and inappropriate lexis.
 • Apart from myths which are studied
separately, legends usually tell the story of a
person – his or her deeds, quests, and
A legend eventual death. Legends are less fantastic and
more realistic in nature, and in most cases
they are believable.
A parable
• Parables are short, legend-like stories which have a metaphorical
character. A parable about a person who could easily break one branch,
unable to break several of them, can be a good example.
Seminar 1
Task 1. Dwell on the following issues.
1) The notion of folklore, its essence.
2) Types of folklore.
Task 2. Choose an example of folklore from the ones mentioned in the
lecture. Investigate its history and alterations. Prepare a short
presentation about the chosen example.
SIW 1
Task 1.
In a short presentation, contrast nursery rhymes and ballads.
Task 2.
Choose a nursery rhyme of English origin, learn it by heart and analyze
it in the form of a report.
SIWT 1
Analyze the fairy-tale “Jack and his golden snuff-box” from the
viewpoint of its cultural references. Use the knowledge obtained from
the lecture to carry out the analysis.