7220.09 - Language, Culture and Tradition

7220.09

Language, Culture and Tradition

15

The purpose of the course is threefold. (1) Students will gain insight into basic concepts and ideas in linguistic studies, and they will gain awareness of important theories on how children acquire their mother tongue. (2) Students will familiarise themselves with literary genres that are normally recognised as oral literature: Legends, fairy tales, folk ballads, Faroese satirical ballads, proverbs and riddles. They will learn to recognise the characteristics of each genre and gain insight into their historical development around the world, and especially how they have developed in the Faroes. They will also familiarise themselves with sacred and secular customs. And (3) students will study the human voice and how to use it. They will study and gain competence in story telling, dance and dance games.

The course is organised in three independent but related parts. Part one is on philosophy of language. The students will work on the importance of language as a communication medium and on the role of language in identity formation. Then they will consider how the mother tongue is used at home, in day institutions and in school. Part two focuses on the cultural history, which forms the root of Faroese language and oral tradition. This part commences with an introduction to oral literature. The distinguishing marks of different types of oral literature will be discussed. Students will also develop a bibliography aimed at 1) introducing social educators to Faroese oral literature and 2) helping them find material, which is in print. The characteristics of each genre and their changing historical role in the culture at large will also be considered. Part three is on the voice and how it is used. This part will also focus on story telling recitation, both in the telling of legends and fairy tales, and in the recitation of rhymes, folk ballads and other types of verse. A part of this course is working with various type of oral literature with children, aged 6-7.

Students will be assessed on an oral group presentation, which will be based on both the theoretical and practical part of the course. Internal examiners will be used. Grades are awarded on Passed/Not passed basis.

Árni Dahl