美国民俗学的实践理论——兼论西蒙·布朗纳的有关阐释

The Practice Theory of American Folklore Studies: Also on Simon J. Bronner’s Related Interpretations

西蒙·布朗纳于2020年在北京师范大学的系列讲座,紧紧围绕民俗学的实践理论这一主题进行。民俗学在世界范围内的兴起曾深刻影响了美国民俗学的道路,但美国不同于欧洲的特点使其民俗学长期以来强调个人主义、语言学路径与艺术文本,使得美国民俗学在"超级时代"来临后面临许多挑战。为此,布朗纳提出了以传统为中心的民俗学实践理论,这要求我们重新理解和阐释"实践"和"传统"这些重要概念,并从心意与认知的角度去解释现代社会中究竟是什么激发、活化与生产了传统。这种研究路径强调将物质与非物质交织在一起研究,也强调不同文化之间的比较与发现。在此系列课程中,他以大量中国民俗的事例与美国民俗相互比较,并大胆提出自己的猜想。他提出的实践理论和对中美民俗比较的设想,都可以为中国民俗学界带来启发。

Simon J.Bronner held a series of academic lectures on the practice theory of folklore studies at Beijing Normal University in 2020.The rise of folklore studies in the world has profoundly affected American folklore studies,but the characteristics of the United States,which are different from Europe,have made American folklore studies emphasize individualism,linguistic approach,and artistic text for a long time,which has made American folklore meet numerous challenges since the arrival of Hyper Era.To solve these problems,Bronner introduced the tradition-centered practice theory of folklore studies.This theory requires our new understanding and new explanation of the key concepts,such as practice and tradition.We are also required to explain what motivate,inspire and generate the tradition in modern world from the perspective of mind and cognitive approaches.This research method emphasizes the combination of tangible culture and intangible culture in studies,as well as the discovery through comparing different cultures.In this series of lectures,Bronner has compared many folklore examples both from China and from the United States,and boldly proposed his own hypothesis.The practice theory he put forward and the hypothesis generated from the Sino-US comparison on folklore can both inspire Chinese folklorists.