Lecture 13

Question 1

Story telling in Upper Tanana

Answer 1

Old time stories of the Upper Tanana are set in mythical
times, when humans and animals are able to
communicate with one another.
• Stories are told to entertain, educate, inspire, transmit
knowledge and provide a moral code to its listeners.
• They explain ways of the world.
• Knowledge of these stories are part of what makes
someone an Upper Tanana person.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and connection to
animal and human behavior is often encoded in stories,
or in idioms (expressions) or both

Question 2

Figurative language

Answer 2

Some of these expressions refer to observations of the animal’s
behavior and compare them directly to observed behavior in humans.
• These illustrate vivid images of animals acting in a particular way.
• On the other hand, the meaning of the expression
is directly referencing the behavior of a mythical/ spiritual helper or
protagonist (in this case Raven) rather than the animal’s behavior.

Question 3

Figurative language in English

Answer 3

Things are looking up
This is a low point for me

Happiness conceptualized in terms of UP AND DOWN

my path, rocky road, etc

LIFE conceptualized as a journey or voyage

Question 4

Metonymy

Answer 4

Part for whole; whole for part distinction
• The object for the user (“my shoes run fast”)
• Mee souyee shoohkaypahtohwmakan. (Michif)
• The product for the producer (“the book says so”)
• itwêmakan. (nêhiyawêwin; Plains Cree)