The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #167418   Message #4038983
Posted By: GUEST,jag
11-Mar-20 - 06:01 AM
Thread Name: How To Research the History of a Song
Subject: RE: How To Research the History of a Song
I think the meaning of jargon that I had in mind was clear. My " the terminology that previous researchers have used" was there to help. I think that is the way Steve understood it.

That said, my concern is that the concept behind "oral tradition", if different from "oral transmission" (which would do for Steve example), could, for the experts in the field, carry meaning that isn't obvious from the example. I am using Steve's post to labour the point. I know what he meant.

To me any concept described using a term including the word tradition risks carrying a load of complicated baggage. See for example https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradition .

It can be hard for the non-specialist to know if a jargon term includes potential bubbles that other specialists think need pricking. I quoted Joseph Jacobs regarding "the Folk" above.