Mis keeles me räägime loomadega

• Main Author: Mare Kõiva
• Format: Article
• Language: Estonian
• Published: Eesti Kirjandusmuuseum 2010-04-01
• Series: Mäetagused
• Subjects: animal stories; human-animal communication; pet culture; zoofolklore
• Online Access: http://www.folklore.ee/tagused/nr44/koiva.pdf

Changes in the socio-cultural and economic sphere are reflected in folklore by the rise of certain stereotypes, beliefs, prejudices and types of narratives. The increase in the number of pet animals gives us reason to view the defining features of human-pet communication as well as language use. The article considers these aspects based onarchival folklore material and questionnaire results. In addition to usual or slightly simplified talk, pet-owners also employ kid-speech and even a change of code. The change of code conveys attitudes and helps attain a desired specific effect (praise, condemnation, subjugation). Non-verbal communication also has an important role,both on its own and in combination with other modes of communication.Folklore genres, reflecting the communicating situation, include universal paraverbal signals (calling by whistling and warding, imitating voices) and simple calls, such as instrumental, whistled and voice signals. Complex poetic texts (natural sounds, herdsman’s cries and calls; verbal magic aliases, incantations) have, over time, become part of the institutionalised folklore movement or professionals’ repertoire. Folklore genres increasingly include personal experience narratives – narratives of a simple form that carry culturally significant messages. These narratives also exhibit beliefs of the animals’ capability of understanding human speech and acting with reason. The functions of these stories include creating asense of local stability. The importance of verbal communication within a society has formed together with rules of conduct – limits on emotional standards and positions. Communication with a pet gives us more freedom to use emotions and determine our role. Contemporary pet culture includes technological translation devices and a developing profession – telepathic translators – illustrating the need to understand the messages the other side is sending.