Sound Recordings

Object Details

Funding note: Digitization and preparation of these materials for online access has been funded through generous support from the Arcadia Fund.

Topic: Language and languages -- Documentation; Truk language; Ponape language; Polynesian languages; Russian language

Sponsor: Digitization and preparation of these materials for online access has been funded through generous support from the Arcadia Fund.

Collection Citation: The John L. Fischer and Ann K. Fischer papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution.

Arrangement: The numbering of the sound recordings is not consecutive throughout the subseries. 9.1 Ponape/Pohnpei SRs 1-64, 113, 126-128; 9.2 Koasati - Bel Abbey SRs 65-71; 9.3 Truk/Chuk SRs 72, 111, 112, 114-117, 119; 9.4 Misc. non Micronesia SRs 73-79, 82, 83, 86, 87, 90, 92-93, 97-110, 118, 120-125; 9.5 Unidentified SRs 80, 81, 84, 85, 88, 89, 91, 94-96.

Scope and Contents: This series consists of audio reels, audograph records, and cassette tapes. The bulk of these recordings include stories, chants, and music from Ponape. There is also an audograph record of Truk folktales. Most were recorded by John Fischer, but three recordings are music recorded by Kim Bailey. Notes for some of the recordings can found under Series III: Ponape. A few recordings are conversations in Japanese and learning aids for the Russian language. The recordings were not examined to confirm that the box descriptions match the contents.; The majority of the recordings in this series are Pohnpeian (items 1-64, 113, 126-128), consisting of songs, stories, spells, and other narrations. Some are in Trukese/Chuukese (72, 111-112, 114-117, 119), consisting of songs and folk tales. Many recordings are not cataloged because they are either unidentified (82-97) or consist of information in Pohnpeian or other language which was not translated. Some proper name spellings are inconsistent. Koasati recordings of Bel Abbey are included (65-71). There are single items in Ngatikese (13), and several in Japanese and Russian (75-81, 98-108) which deal primarily with language instruction. Researchers should consult full sound recording inventory list in the finding aid.

Collection Restrictions: Access to psychological tests administered by John and Ann Fischer during their research in Ponape and Japan is restricted. Access to the John L. Fischer and Ann K. Fischer Papers requires an appointment.