The Powers of Genre: Interpreting Haya Oral Literature Contributor(s): Seitel, Peter (Author) |
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ISBN: 019511700X ISBN-13: 9780195117004 Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA OUR PRICE: $217.80 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: March 1999 Annotation: The Powers of Genre describes a method for interpreting oral literature that depends upon and facilitates dialogue between insiders and outsiders to a tradition. Seitel illustrates this method with lively examples from Haya proverbs, folktales, and heroic verse. He then focuses on a single epic ballad to demonstrate, among other things, why stanzas need not rhyme, and how significance needs time in oral poetry and narrative. Making a controversial claim that an heroic age, similar to that of Ancient Greece, existed in Sub-Saharan Africa, this work will intrigue anyone who works in oral literature and narrative. |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Language Arts & Disciplines | Translating & Interpreting - Social Science | Folklore & Mythology - Language Arts & Disciplines | Linguistics - General |
Dewey: 398.208 |
LCCN: 98047851 |
Lexile Measure: 1280 |
Series: Oxford Studies in Anthropological Linguistics |
Physical Information: 0.86" H x 6.82" W x 8.84" (1.25 lbs) 264 pages |
Themes: - Cultural Region - African |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: The Powers of Genre describes a method for interpreting oral literature that depends upon and facilitates dialogue between insiders and outsiders to a tradition. Seitel illustrates this method with lively examples from Haya proverbs, folktales, and heroic verse. He then focuses on a single epic ballad to demonstrate, among other things, why stanzas need not rhyme, and how significance needs time in oral poetry and narrative. Making a controversial claim that an heroic age, similar to that of Ancient Greece, existed in Sub-Saharan Africa, this work will intrigue anyone who works in oral literature and narrative. |