Week #5

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13879236

A few weeks ago I received a status update on Facebook.  “Folklore Motherload,” this looks interesting!  I received a similar posting from several friends.  All linked to either this article or a similar one about the same topic.  Traditionally folklore is an oral subject, not a written one.  It was not until well into the 20^th Century that scholars put folklore to paper on a regular basis and began the study and promotion of the cultural context of the oral tradition. 

The presentation of a previously “unknown” or “obscure” folklore collection is like the superbowl in the academic world.  There are new stories, new old stories, legends, tales, and information to review, analyze, and dissect.  There are new opportunities for motifing and indexing and careful review and comparison to regional folklore.  Scholars have the opportunity to connect their work to a root culture and storytellers gain new material.  Folklorists and students of folklore love the opportunity to hear, see, learn a new tale. 

This article was published online by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on 22 June 2011.  The article has no author and fails to provide a link, citation, or footnote, to a print publication which would provide more indepth information.  It serves an important function as a teaser to what is to come.

Without knowledge of who the writer of this brief piece was, one can only assume that it is fed to the consumer in the brief, simply stated format of an online article to entice the reader to explore the topic further.  It is also equally possible that the article was used as a filler in print and it made the transition to multi-media with no apparent need for substance. 

The article does provide a “Related Links” section and the first two links are easily connected to the story, the third, “Studies query monkey legend roots” causes a reader to be sceptical.  However, my viewing the linked story one sees that it is indeed a folktale involving monkeys and Scotland.  Showing that you really do have to take the time to explore suggested readings.  Although this reader would admit that the graphics accompanying the story help to make it an intriguing story. 

I see no stereotypes or controversy in this article, but I would venture to comment that for the audience that would most understand, value, and appreciate the content, that is the academic community and folklorists, there is very little meat or stand alone value to the story.  Some might feel that the BBC did indeed view this as a “filler” piece and perhaps did not take this wonderful revelation as seriously as they, the reader, would.

The article does provide a link to the Carmichael Watson Project, which allows the scholar or serious folklorist to indulge their need for knowledge.

As a storyteller and amateur folklorist this story provides a connection to a culture that is of interest to me.  I am of Scottish descent and find that part of my heritage fascinating.  Using this article I was introduced to a resource that is beneficial to me both professional and personally.  This article provides a powerful resource to support the 21^st century skill and learning in workforce.  By sharing this BBC article and the associated links adult learners can not only learn how to evaluate websites, but they can also experience the opportunities that are opened to them with one simple click of a mouse.  Simply taking the link to the Carmichael Watson Project exposes them to a world that they might otherwise never have known existed.