Dear adults,
I want to take a moment away from retelling bumstories to say something about what I’m doing. I hope you’ll indulge me.
I grew up with stories. Not just the ones from ‘my own tradition,’ but stories told by people from around the world. And that’s my motivation for writing this statement: I believe with all my heart that all stories belong to all of us, as humans. I share my versions of them not in an effort to steal stories that my fellow humans understandably see as ‘theirs,’ but to share–with as many people as want to read them–stories that bring me and my children joy.
As a linguist and a historian, I recognize that history is complex and not always objective, that it is shaped by diverse perspectives and experiences, many of them deeply unequal. I understand retelling stories from other language traditions involves challenges and responsibilities. Language shapes meaning deeply, and translation is neither neutral nor can it ever fully capture the original nuances, cultural contexts, or spiritual resonance embedded in the source language. The limitations of a ‘foreign’ language version, as well as their retelling as children’s tales, means there will almost certainly be oversimplification, loss of cultural specificity, and inadvertent misrepresentation. I will therefore always acknowledge each story’s source culture and pledge to re-tell these tales with all the care and humility that I can bring to my craft. I will approach all the tales I share in deference to their local contexts, which I acknowledge to be richer, more accurate, and more nuanced than my own diminished, personal versions. If my retellings offend, please reject them in favour of those told by more talented, more local, more situated storytellers than I.
As a folklorist, I honour and respect the cultural traditions from where the stories originate. I acknowledge the sacred and cultural significance of folklore in communities worldwide. I further show gratitude to those cultural traditions, acknowledging their importance and the deep meanings they hold for their communities. I am committed to engaging with these traditions thoughtfully and responsibly, valuing guidance from cultural custodians, while continuing to subscribe to a belief in a single humanity and positioning myself firmly in the global tribe of storytellers. In the spirit of respect and accountability, I promise to listen, learn, and make amends should my work fail to honour a tradition. My commitment is to share folklore for the joy of others, and I am eager to hear from those who enjoy them–or don’t–equally.
I dedicate my site to all those who love telling, performing, and listening to stories.