Munda Folktales of Jharkhand

A Study in Sociocultural Discourse

Abstract

The present study aims at discourse analysis of Mundari Folktales of Jharkhand using sociocultural features. Discourse Analysis acts as an umbrella term for a rapidly growing field of research covering a wide range of different theoretical approaches and analytical emphases. It is assumed that different constructions of the world are represented in a number of ways. To understand different constructions, one needs to understand the factors that drive and shape the behavior of the people as individuals and collectively. The sociocultural discourse analysis focuses on the use of language as a social mode of thinking. The work of sociocultural theory is to explain how individual mental functioning is related to cultural, institutional, and historical context. This method will not only analyze words, sentences, expression, form and meaning but also analyze all kinds of social and cultural factors related to discourse. The intention behind the study is contribution to the repertoire of knowledge on Mundari folktales as an area which has remained unexplored over years. Despite being one of the major tribes of Jharkhand, these indigenous lives have not been a part of scholarly research yet. The tales are collected by different people and they are translated also but discourse study of the tales has not been dealt yet. Through the study of the tales one can learn their customs, culture, rituals, social activities and way of living. The emphases will be on analyzing people, their culture and society through the language used in the text.