Восточнославянские элементы в словацком фольклоре
The East-Slavonic elements in the Slovak folklore

Summary/Abstract: The aim of my study is to make a structural comparison of the Russian and Slovak folktales. In their ethnographic works, J. Polivka, K. Horalek and R. Jakobson state that there is a great difference between the Russian and the West- Slavonic folklores. Likewise, they consider the Russian folktales to be of unique character. These researchers accent the role of specific elements in the opening and closing structures of the Russian folktales as they determine the tales’ importance and emotional character. The results of my comparative research show more similar elements in the structures of the Russian and Slovak folktales. I have used the tale collections edited by renown researchers in the field of Slavonic folklore such as A. N. Afanesiew, P. Dobshinsky, and S. Czambel. I have been able to find out similarities not only in the morphology of the tale structures but also in their function, expressivity and humour. I have examined the cultural and linguistic contacts of the area referred to as the Russian cultural zone by N. S. Trubetzkoy. The results of this research show further similarities in the folktales of the Finno-Ugoric and Turkish peoples. The similarities revealed between the structural elements of the Russian and Slovak folktales complete and refine the conlusions of Slavonic researchers concerning the character of the folktales in the examined area. The areal character of the similarities found in the folkore of the Russian cultural zone attests that the theory of N. S. Trubetzkoy concerning the importance of cultural contacts is valid.

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