Browse & Classifications
Regional & Specialised Indexes
Regional indexes provide routes into particular narrative traditions and source collections. Specialised systems extend comparison to proverbs, ballads and songs when those forms are relevant.
Each work has its own corpus, scope and reference conventions. Preserve the named system and edition when comparing identifiers across indexes.
Regional tale-type, motif and legend indexes
Choose a reference to read about its coverage, use and sources.
| Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| El-Shamy · Arab World | Tale types with social and demographic context; 2004. |
| Ikeda · Japan | Type and motif index of Japanese folk-literature; 1971. |
| Ting · China | Folktale types from oral tradition and selected classical literature; 1978. |
| Af Klintberg · Swedish folk legends | Legend types from Swedish-language material; original title page dated 2010. |
| Cross · Early Irish literature | Motif index for early Irish literary sources; 1952. |
| Baughman · England & North America | Regional tale-type and motif index; 1966. |
Proverbs, ballads and songs
These references describe distinct forms of verbal art and have their own kinds of identifier.
| Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Matti Kuusi · Proverbs | International type system for comparing proverbial ideas across languages. |
| Child · Ballad numbers | References to the 305 ballads in Child’s English and Scottish collection. |
| Roud · Folk Song Index | Song numbers and source records for English-language traditional songs. |
Using this reference
Start with the source tradition and the form of the item, then consult the relevant entry. Establish whether the proposed match concerns a motif, a whole plot, a proverb or a song.
Every directory entry opens a separate reference page with publication details and source links. These introductions support future cross-referencing; narrative assignments will follow later analysis.
Each heading has a stable link for citation and future cross-referencing. Narrative associations will follow later analysis.
Sources and further reading
Publication details and sources are listed on each individual reference page. The directory groups resources for browsing; it is not a new classification system.
The explanations are concise editorial summaries. Published identifiers are distinguished from this page’s reference headings and suggested recording practices.
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