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Taka Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
folklore
The gift of speech and a well-orderd language are characteristic of every known group of human beings. No tribe has ever been found which is without language, and all statemants to the contrary may be dismissed as mere folklore.
My book translates the 'folklore' above literally as 'a traditional story of a community', but is it really so?
I think it is used as a metaphor for 'a popular but unfounded belief' or something like that...
My book translates the 'folklore' above literally as 'a traditional story of a community', but is it really so?
I think it is used as a metaphor for 'a popular but unfounded belief' or something like that...
Top answer
Yes, it means "an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated" in this context
- Yes, it means "an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated" in this context
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4 Answers
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Yes, it means "an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated" in this context 
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That is correct. Think of the Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster. Many people believe in them , but there is no hard proof they exist.
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«My book translates the 'folklore' above literally as 'a traditional story of a community', but is it really so?»
Yes, that's the original meaning of folklore [folk+lore].
In your context folklore is used as gossips, hearsays... Since they emerge among wide groups of people (usually incompetent abouit the subject), they are called folklore too.
Yes, that's the original meaning of folklore [folk+lore].
In your context folklore is used as gossips, hearsays... Since they emerge among wide groups of people (usually incompetent abouit the subject), they are called folklore too.
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