When Our Words Return: Writing, Reading, and Remembering Oral Traditions from Alaska and the Yukon

ISBN 10: 0874211956 / ISBN 13: 9780874211955

Published by Utah State University Press, 1995

About this Item

General shelf wear.

Seller Inventory # mon0004168321

Bibliographic Details

• Title: When Our Words Return: Writing, Reading, and Remembering Oral Traditions from Alaska and the Yukon
• Publisher: Utah State University Press
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0874211956
• ISBN 13: 9780874211955
• Binding: paperback
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

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.

About the Author

William Schneider is curator of oral history and associate in anthropology at the Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks.