Question

Give examples of how two different groups (e.g. a family, a group of children, a group of friends, a dance group, a band, a school class, a professional group, a group of dog owners, members of an association, neighbors, a local community, etc.) create and use its own specific folklore. It can be stories, folk beliefs, "family stories", anecdotes about members of the group or about outsiders, jokes, sayings, games, special jargon, personal names, etc. You can start from your own experiences, what you have heard told or found on the Internet. Folklore can be a basis for the analysis of these groups' worldview, aesthetic and moral values, relationships and hierarchies, etc. What norms, categories, stereotypes do the folklore of the selected groups usually comment on, reinforce, reinforce, change, undermine, ironize about, and what effects does this have? To help you, you can take the following questions (but NOTE: Write your answers as a coherent text and not as separate answers, and do not include the questions in your text):

How? (Content) – What is it about? How are different categories characterized (e.g. we and the others, different places, people, animals, beings?) Whose perspective is "of course", superior to others?
How do you say it? (Form) – What genres (e.g., anecdotes, jokes, proverbs, walking legends, stories of experience) does this group usually use to communicate? Why are these particular genres effective for e.g. spread/consolidate a certain message or create cohesion in the group?
Why is it said? (Function) – What function(s) does folklore have in the group? Why is it spread in the group or to outsiders?
Does it matter? (Meaning) – What cultural competence is needed to perceive and understand the folklore of that particular group? What "truths" and stereotypes are assumed that the listener knows and perhaps agrees with? What is the moral of these stories, sayings, etc.? Are norms, notions, categories reproduced/undermined?

Answer 1

The folklore of a family and a lawyers' association serves to perpetuate traditions, values, and professional ethics and identity; cementing unity within each group and aiding the transmission of wisdom and knowledge. Folklore is an integral part of group dynamics and group identity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Folklore is a representation of a community's traditions, norms, and worldview. Let's examine the folklore within a family setting and an association, which in this case will be a professional association in the field of law.

In a family, shared stories typically involve past generations, 'legendary' family adventures, or particularly memorable incidents. For instance, a story about how the grandparents met during World War II demonstrates the perspective that love can triumph even in dire circumstances. This kind of narrative portrays the family as survivors and victors, which invariably enforce certain values such as bravery, resilience, love, and unity. These stories are usually shared in informal settings, using storytelling genres that maintain the family's intimacy and cohesion (content and form). The primary function is to bond the family together, to pass down traditions, and to impart values to the younger generation. Understanding these stories requires an innate knowledge of the family's history, and they underline prevalent family norms and values. Given they are oral narratives, they can be subject to changes reflecting the shifting perspectives and experiences within the family (meaning).

Moving to an association, specifically a lawyers' association, the folklore might embody narratives or anecdotes of groundbreaking cases, sayings with legal wisdom, and jokes containing lawyer stereotypes. For instance, a common saying such as 'He who represents himself has a fool for a client' encapsulates the belief in the imperative nature of legal representation and can be seen as reinforcing the professional superiority of lawyers. These are shared in a more formal capacity, often in forums or casual conversations among colleagues. They not only reinforce professional identity but also serve as a mentoring tool for younger professionals. Understanding this folklore requires knowledge of the legal field and these sayings often underline the critical role of advocacy, the complexity of law, and the value of professional expertise.

Learn more about Folklore