μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Animal language learned.

Animals. · Animals with human traits. · Speaking animals. · view the constellation · filed as B217

In our texts — keyword-matched, unreviewed
Filed across the traditions
  • Icel. Boberg
  • Jewish Neuman
  • India *Thompson-Balys
  • Chinese Graham.
  • general *Types 517, 670, 671, 672, 673, 670B*, 671*, BP I 132
  • general **Aarne FFC XV
  • general *Frazer "The Language of Animals" Archeological Review I (1888) 166 ff.
  • general *Chauvin VIII 49 No. 17
  • general Cox 496 n. 32. Wesselski Morlini 314 No. 71
  • general Gaster Exempla 248 No. 352
  • general Wesselski Märchen 221 No. 35
Within the index

Filed under Speaking animals.

8 finer motifs beneath it
Animal languages learned from eating animal Animal languages learned from eating plant Animal languages learned from ghosts (spirits) Animal languages learned from carrying churchyard mould in hat Bird language learned by having ears magically cleansed Animal languages learned by exchanging tongues with helpful dragon Stone deity (image of) confers upon man powers of understanding animal language Language of animals learned by Adam from Eve
Filed beside it
Person frightened by animals successively replying to his remarks. Example: Man riding horse and followed by dog tells horse to jump over a hole. Horse says, "I will not." Man turns to dog and says, "Isn't that strange – a horse talking!" The dog says, "Yes, isn't it." Often the man runs, meeting other animals which answer him, until he falls exhausted Talking animal or object refuses to talk on demand. Discoverer is unable to prove his claims: is beaten Formerly animals and man spoke the same language. God took the power of speech from the animals because men refused to kill speaking beasts Animal uses human speech Animal understands human speech Animal whistles (sings, etc.) Animal languages. The various animals have languages of their own. (Cf. B251.1.2.) Knowledge of animal languages. Person understands them
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Frog returned to spring: grateful. Teaches hero animals' language (Cf. B217)

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “language” · wander