Small Genres of Spanish Folklore

Abstract

The article analyzes the small genres of Spanish folklore. Genre is the main form of study in folklore; it translates a certain life experience of the people. The formation of the Spanish genre system was influenced both by Western and Eastern folklore traditions, and Spain itself has repeatedly served as a cultural intermediary. Spanish and Russian folklorists do not share the same take on terminology: Spanish researchers do not typically classify groups of genres according to their volume, therefore proverbs and sayings are studied as part of phraseology, whereas riddles, rhymes, tongue twisters and other texts are perceived as an example of children’s folklore creativity. However, variability of form and versatility of such texts allow us to study them within the framework of a single approach. Since the 15th century small genres have attracted special attention of Spanish scientists; authoritative collections of popular expressions and aphorisms have been published. Proverbs and sayings are also used by linguists as an example of the correct language usage. Thematically, proverbios and refranes touch on topics significant for the spiritual and economic life of a person, reflecting historical periods and social institutions of the past; at the same time, in modern usage, the meaning of paroemias can be reinterpreted. Spanish children’s folklore is represented by such genres as oraciones, inicios de juego, formulillas variadas, trabalenguas, adivinanzas, acertijos, and riddles are the most multifunctional type of them. The genres of children’s folklore are characterized by a particularly strong geographical reference that vividly illustrates the processes of intergenerational continuity, as well as preservation and transmission of national traditions.