Multiple reflexive registers operate within the genre of Kalevala-metric incantations.
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The registers are connected with situational use correlated with social relations.
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A close textual analysis of the data shows the performer's ways of indexing moderation.
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A re-assessment of the relation between genre and register in oral poetry is required.
Abstract
Genres and registers of Kalevala-metric poetry have customarily been treated as correlating concepts. The paper examines a category of Kalevala-metric Origin of Fire incantations as a text-type which includes multiple linguistic registers functioning inside the genre. These registers are reflexive formations, potentially established as social situations when addressing supernatural agents. The analysis of directive utterances in the data reveals that addressing of agents varies according to the addressee. An examination of moderative particles and justification of performer's actions results in a view of register-emblematic means of addressing different agents. Register-based approach provides a way to critically re-asses the relationship of genre and register in Kalevala-metric poetry.