Личностни измерения на културата /Разсъждения върху една среща с баячка от Разградско/
Personal Dimensions of Culture (Considerations about an Appointment with а Sorceress from the Region of Razgrad)

Summary/Abstract: The article to show the relevance of discourse analysis to culturological research work, more precisely, to revealing certain regularities in the personal aspect of culture. The idea of the ambiguous nature of the term „discourse”, which denotes at the same time the structure and meaning, dialogue and contemplation, conversation and exchange of values and attitudes, allows the preservation (in research work) at least of а part of the notion of dynamics and change of facts under investigation. The use of the term, as well as specificity of discourse analysis leads to the cultural process, rather than to the dissection of systemic components. It also means а glimpse at that cultural mechanism which connects sign and meaning, competence and performance, text and the cognitive situational models projected in it, within the dynamic existence of folklore phenomena. An example is largely examined in the article – а description of the author’s meeting with а sorceress from the region of Razgrad. This example comprises elements а routine folkloristic interview, elements of teaching through narration and practical training, elements of an actual incantation-treatment, memorates, talks on everyday topics, and so on. In the analysis of this event the problem is paised about the motivation for the conversation on the topic discussed (the incantations as knowledge and as practice); the shift is delineated from the incantation-narration the incantation-staging of the rite and, finally, into the incantation-treatment; the specific interpretation of the relations between the sorceress and the local Christian priest. Furthermore, some „hidden accounts” are differentiated, which emerge through linking remarks told on different occasions but, nevertheless, leading to one and the same generalized image. To some extent, the real life of the magic ritual is shown as а speci1ic pulsation between ritual and non-ritual components of the contemporary cultural setting. It is stressed in the final remarks that the analysis of folklore culture in its personal dimensions means not only а manifestation of its variety of forms and meanings, but also а careful look at its inner functiona1 mechanisms and its adaptivity, which help it preserve itself and co-exist in а organic unity with other cultural types.

• Details
• Contents