Talehandling

Talehandling is a term used in folklore and narrative studies to describe the set of practices involved in managing tales—collecting, editing, preserving, interpreting, and disseminating them across cultures. It encompasses both traditional oral narratives and modern written or digital forms.

It covers field collection, transcription, edition, commentaries, and the analysis of structure, motifs, and function. It relies on classification systems such as the Aarne-Thompson-Uther tale-type index and motif indices. It also involves curating and archiving tales in libraries and digital repositories, and facilitating access through cataloging, metadata, and digital humanities tools.

Talehandling emphasizes ethical engagement with storytellers, consent, attribution, and the protection of endangered cultural expressions. It addresses issues of translation, adaptation, and representation, ensuring critical interpretation while avoiding misappropriation.

Researchers, librarians, archivists, and community practitioners collaborate; talehandling is practiced in academic institutions, museums, and community archives, often as part of folklore, ethnography, or media studies programs. It supports education, preservation of intangible cultural heritage, and informed public engagement.