Presentation Formulas in South Slavic Epic Song

Abstract

South Slavic epic singers make frequent use of direct address to the listener in order to draw attention to important characters or events. These “presentation formulas” fulfill a variety of important discursive functions. Analogously to certain cinematographic techniques (the cuts of montage, panning, or zooming-in of the camera), they shift the listener’s mental vision from one point of reference to another. They can also articulate the structure of a song and create sophisticated aesthetic effects of absence and presence.

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Frequency of presentation formulas.

Mićo Savić dictating a song to Nikola Vujnović.

Photo: courtesy of the Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature.

Hajdar Habul dictating a song to Nikola Vujnović.

Photo: courtesy of the Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature.

Šćepan Prkačin dictating a song to Ilija Kutuzov.

Photo: courtesy of the Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature.

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