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Latvian Folklore Made Easy
Saule Sēta Saites (LV) (Sun Structures Sashes)
By Anda Vitols
copyright 2004
Introduction
Making Latvian Folklore Relevant
Current scientific studies on human cognition, show that for people to learn something, they need 2 things. They need information they can understand, and they have to care about it. Information needs to be structured to be understood. It is what we pay attention to, that we care about, and hence remember. What we pay attention too, is what is most relevant to us at the moment. It’s a practical survival instinct. In Latvian folklore, the structure and growth process of the psyche parallels that of the universe. Our personal growth, like community growth, is like growth in nature and the universe and dievs. Consequently, there are no divisions between us and dievs and everything inbetween. Dainas: For dainas to be practical, they have to be easy to understand and remember, and have meaningful everyday use. To describe the mind and the universe, the dainas usually use nature to visually describe an idea. It is easiest to understand and most accessable. This provides us information. For dainas to be meaningful, they have to have proactive practical use for ourselves. This provides us the component to care. What do we care about the most? Ourselves. This is not selfish, as we are unable to functionally care for others, if our own foundations are weak. What do we understand the best? Ourselves. Who can we heal and change for the better? Ourselves. So it is from the point of view of our own personal psyche that I describe Latvian folklore. Once you have read this manual, start improvising. Move around within the structure of nature as described so far, and see how you fit in. This is how you get integrated (saderēta.)
Lai dzīvo sveiks,
Anda
How to Use This Manual
Translation structure Latvian word in bold, opening square bracket, direct word and syllable translation to English, forward slash, meaning in italics if needed, closing square bracket. Latvian word [English word/ meaning] Goal of translations All forms of communication, whether written, imagery, musical, oral, contain semantics (words), syntax (relevance among words using grammar as a tool), and meaning. In this paper I focus on meaning. Specific word meanings (semantics) and philosophical structures (overall meaning). Specifically, I encourage placing words of any language into Latvian folklore structures; but many Latvian words seem to fit in the best. A logical sequetor, as Latvian words are the building blocks, per se, that materialized the philosophical ideas into reality: an oral form that can be used by all. Audience People whose working language is English. I start with assumption that there is no understanding of Latvian, and progress to full Latvian examples.
FULL CONTENTS
IntroductionMain principles How to use Latvian folklore to help you get through your day
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