Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15291/csi.4051
Perception of National Identity in Leksykon Tradycji Chorwackich (Lexicon of Croatian Traditions) by Joanna Rapacka
Marijana Bašić
orcid.org/0000-0002-4623-6209
; University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Sanja Baričević
; University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Abstract
Identity is imagination and perception of who we are and what we are. The term ‘cultural identity’ describes authenticity and uniqueness of a certain culture, and, on the basis of cultural characteristics and values, a certain social community is defined, i.e. they determine affiliation of an individual or a social group to a certain culture. Cultural identity can be based on elements of spiritual and material cultural heritage as well as traditional culture. D. Oraić Tolić (2003: 453) points out that “to have knowledge of a certain culture and its identity means to know how to use a dictionary of its cultural phrases, to recognise invisible connotations and narrative models, to know how to tell and listen to stories specific for a certain language and culture, in other words – to master imagery of its stereotypes”. Leksykon tradycji chorwackich (Lexicon of Croatian Traditions) (2002) by Joanna Rapacka, originally published in the Polish language in 1997, contains 64 entries that “describe and explain the genesis of the most significant mythmaking phenomena and symbols of Croatian history, culture, and literature, the phenomena that performed an integrational and identificational function in the Croatian ethnic and national community” (Fališevac 2002: 249). Observing tradition as “a transfer of knowledge, cognition, beliefs, legends, customs, cultural values, etc. from generation to generation either through oral or written tradition; a constant and creative process of reinterpretation of cultural heritage” (VRHSJ 2015: 1567), the paper analyses thematically and conceptually the components of Croatian national identity represented in Leksykon tradycji chorwackich (Lexicon of Croatian Traditions), as well as the conceptual metaphors important for understanding Croatian identity.
Keywords
conceptual metaphor; culture; Leksykon tradycji chorwackich [Lexicon of Croatian Traditions]; national identity; tradition
Hrčak ID:
288378
URI
Publication date:
24.12.2022.
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