When Our Words Return: Writing, Hearing, and Remembering Oral Traditions from Alasak and the Yukon

by William Schneider

Overview

The title to this interdisciplinary collection draws on the Yupik Eskimo belief that seals, fish, and other game are precious gifts that, when treated with respect and care, will return to be hunted again. Just so, if oral traditions are told faithfully and respectfully, they will return to benefit future generations. The contributors to this volume are concerned with the interpretation and representation of oral narrative and how it is shaped by its audience and the time, place, and cultural context of the narration. Thus, oral traditions are understood as a series of dialogues between tradition bearers and their listeners, including those who record, write, and interpret.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780874213768
Publisher:	Utah State University Press
Publication date:	10/01/1995
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	5 MB

Table of Contents

Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
A Note on Consistency
Part I. Writing
With a Vision beyond Our Immediate Needs: Oral Traditions in an Age of Literacy MATHER ELSIE
On Shaky Ground: Folklore, Collaboration, and Problematic Outcomes MORROW PHYLLIS
“Pete's Song”: Establishing Meanings through Story and Song CRUIKSHANK JULIE
Part II. Hearing
Seeing Wisely, Crying Wolf: A Cautionary Tale on the Euro-Yup'ik Border BARKER ROBIN
“They Talked of the Land with Respect”: Interethnic Communication in the Documentation of Historical Places and Cemetery Sites DROZDA ROBERT M.
A Bright Light Ahead of Us: Belle Deacon's Stories in English and Deg Hit'an RUPPERT JAMES
Part III. Remembering
The Days of Yore: Alutiiq Mythical Time PARTNOW PATRICIA H.
Lessons from Alaska Natives about Oral Tradition and Recordings SCHNEIDER WILLIAM
The Weight of Tradition and the Writer's Work ODDEN MARY
Epilogue
Appendix: Polar Bear Story TWO TELLINGS BY BELLE DEACON
About the Authors