ORAL TRADITIONS

ORAL TRADITIONS

by Valeria Reyes

​ECUADORIAN FOLKTALE

Story telling is one of the best ways to preserve culture because it gives people the chance to pass down knowledge from generation to generation. Folktales are also a way to preserve languages from an oral perspective, because there are some languages that do not have a standardized written system; and, therefore, no alphabet. Additionally, stories help children develop imagination. As you can see, even if legends are only partially true, there are many advantages when it comes to folktales and oral tradition. The question is what happens when they are not passed down? Basically, part of the culture itself will get lost. Because of this, you should try to document as many legends as you can, so that they can be preserved for future generations. So, the next time a relative or an elderly friend of yours wants to share a legend with you, make sure to have something to document it!​

​WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE NEXT LINK.

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​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr88rB1nyRc

​ACTIVITY

Based on the reading, decide whether the following statements are True(T) or False(F).​

Multiple Choice

Story telling does not help preserve culture?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Folktales pass down knowledge.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Thanks to legends, languages can be preserved.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Stories help develop children’s imagination.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Legends are always 100 % true.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Folktales can be partially true

• TRUE

• FALSE

​Answer the following questions in your own words.

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Open Ended

Are legends culturally accepted in your city?

Open Ended

In your opinion, is it important for people to tell legends? Support your answer

Open Ended

In your view, who knows more legends: children, middle-aged or elderly people? Support your answer.

Open Ended

Why should story-telling should be documented? Support your answer.