The American Concept of Folklore

Abstract

It is probably unwise to speak of concept of as if there were just one. In past, and even in present, there has been considerable disagreement among folklorists as to nature of One is tempted to suggest that there have been almost as many of as there have been folklorists. Thus the concept of folklore can really only be discussed as some of folklore. By American I refer to North and more specifically to United States of America. The peoples of Latin America also consider themselves Americans and folklorists in Latin have been extremely active in last few decades, particularly with respect to formulating concepts of folklore.' However, various understandings of held by Latin folklorists differ quite radically from those championed by North folklorists and they will not be treated here. In discussing concept of I shall confine myself to folklorists' of inasmuch as a less specific topic would have to include views of general public. The public at large tends to think of as a synonym for error, fallacy, or historical inaccuracy. One hears, for example, phrase That's folklore, meaning That is not true, and while this does not