Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

Patricia Arant. "Figurative and Literal Coupling in Russian Oral Traditional Genres." Slavic and East European Journal, 19:411-20.

Examines the coupling of a figurative image and its literal interpretation in a variety of non-narrative oral genres:lyric songs (whether connected with rituals or not), short lyrics of recent origin (astuski), incantations, riddles, and proverbs. Demonstrates how this coupling is affected by genre requirements. Notes spread of this oral traditional device across genres and suggests that it is a general feature of oral style.
Area: RU