Article Abstract:
The concept of text in the past had been confined to written words. This, however, has presented problem in folklore studies where the written text is an account of a performance. Strategies to overcome this problem include expansion of the meaning of text to include anything that is humanly made,in both spatial (object) and temporal (performance) forms. A late 20th century text that is impacting on the concept which may yet again call for redefinition of the term is text on screen, otherwise known as hypertext.
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Article Abstract:
Folklorists have begun to call for a curriculum in ethnography that includes training in performance, particularly in music. Ethnomusicologists report that their research is extensively enhanced once they learn to play the music of the culture they are studying and participate in performances of this music. This skill is clearly useful for western scholars learning oriental musical traditions, where the distance between the observer and informant is reduced.
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Article Abstract:
A series of reports on the way ethnomusicologists furthered their field studies by learning to play the musical instruments of different cultures raises the value of participation in ethnographic field research. However, some issues remain, including the need for musical skill among researchers, the objective value of participation per se and other means of oral communication that should be explored apart from performance.
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