Traditional Narrative (P00896)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : LLC-P-P00896

This course covers prose oral narrative in Scottish Gaelic and Lowland Scots, with comparative material from traditional narrative in other countries and languages (mainly European, and with particular reference to the closest relatives in Irish) and folktale studies worldwide. There will be examples, if possible, from visiting storytellers, the Netherbow Storytelling Festival and video.

The first semester will focus on the international folktale (Marchen) and related native hero-tales and tales of literary origin, and historical perspectives on the folktale. Many different approaches will be demonstrated, including comparative studies, the interaction of oral and written sources, and working with primary Scottish sources.

The second semester will deal mainly with tale structure, studies of reciters and their performance techniques, tradition orientation, and memory and transmission. In approaching questions of theory the emphasis will be on their application to the Scottish storytelling traditions. Genres studied will also include local supernatural and historical legends, including clan and clearance traditions, memorates and anomalous forms such as jokes and chain-tales, with time devoted to tales told by, to, and about, women and children.