The you obviously haven't spoken to somebody who has been part of a living tradition.

I have actually, having worked alongside a fair few traditional storytellers & singers in my time. But all creative people are essentially part of a living tradition; my favourite traditional storytellers these days are actually the blokes down the pub who get a roll with endless up-to-the-minute jokes and have the place in stitches.

If this is the case why don't we know who any of them were?

Anonymity is no indication of collectivity. And though we do know many of the names (Absjorsen, Grimm, Child & other collectors named their principle sources) we can say that these are the works of individuals in much the same way as when we look at bricklaying, plasterwork, drystone walling, pottery, coopering, joinery, etc. we know we looking at the work of exacting individuals who were time served masters of their trades. Or are such things the random by-products of Chinese Whisperers too?   

Surely if an individual is that gifted his/her identity would be known?

I bet you could name a fair few, Jim - just check your source singers.

It really would be helpful if you provided some evidence on which you base your extremely sweeping, unqualified and loaded statements.

The evidence is right there - it's in the collections that form the backbone of any traditional repertoire, be it story, lore or song. The difference is simply one of interpretation. Where you see the random consequence of illiterate blundering Chinese Whisperers banging away like a thousand monkeys, I see something a good deal more purposeful, precise & exacting - no more random than the exacting master craftsmaship of coopers, wallers, farriers, ploughmen, sparks, hedge-layers, heavy metal guitarists, street dancers, MCs, and Fluffy Morris dancers.

*   

Umm, does that translate as, "But Mum, that boy started it!"

Hardly that, CS; all I'm doing is playing nicely as part of an ongoing discussion. That Boy, on the other hand (like the old man above) is forever spoiling for a fight. At least said Old Man knows what he's on about & I'm in his debt anyway for sending me some field recordings 18 or so months ago although the tape hasn't as yet surfaced since moving house - see here.