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Folklore can be described as traditional art, literature, knowledge, and practices that are passed on in large part through oral communication and example.〔("What is Folklore?", American Folklore Society )〕 The information thus transmitted expresses the shared ideas and values of a particular group. British antiquarian William Thoms is generally credited with coining the term "folklore" in 1846. As an academic discipline folklore shares methods, and insights with literature, anthropology, art, music, history, linguistics, philosophy, and mythology. Elliott Oring states that folklore is that part of culture that "lives happily ever after".〔(Toelken, Barre. ''The Anguish of Snails'', Utah State University Press, 2003, ISBN 0-87421-555-2 )〕 Folkloristics is the academic study of folklore. ==Characteristics== Folk or traditional culture is that culture that is maintained and transmitted by word of mouth or by customary practice rather than by written or printed documents.〔(Buchan, David. ''Scottish Tradition'', Routledge, 2015, ISBN 9781317550044 )〕 In this it is distinguishable from so-called "high culture" and "pop culture". Folklore expresses the ideas and values of a particular group. It is characteristically passed on orally or by example. It is anonymous, traditional, and follows prescribed formulae. In oral tradition, information is passed on verbally from one generation to another. This may be transmitted in speech or song and may take the form of folktales, songs, or chants. Because it is conveyed orally, it may change in the retelling and appear in a variety of versions. This is particularly noted in folktales and folksongs. Some American folksongs can be traced back to England or Ireland, brought by immigrants who adapted the lyrics in light of their new surroundings and experiences.〔 Carl Wilhelm von Sydow noted that folklore varies from region to region and suggested that this indicates the communities' adaptation to their own cultural environment.〔( Tangherlini, Timothy R., ''Interpreting Legend'', Routledge, 2015, ISBN 9781317550655 )〕 The Scottish ballad "Marie Hamilton" is found in over fifty versions, recorded at different times and places form different sources. While the different versions have a great deal in common, there is considerable variation.〔 “All folklore participates in a distinctive, dynamic process. Constant change, variation within a tradition, whether intentional or inadvertent, is viewed here simply as a central fact of existence for folklore, and ...a defining feature that grows out of context, performance, attitude, cultural tastes, and the like.”〔Toelken, Barre. ''The Dynamics of Folklore'' Revised and Expanded Edition. Logan: Utah State University Press, 1996. p. 7〕 Traditions which survive are those which have proved useful and suitable, even in a new environment.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Folklore」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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