Department of Humanities
department-of-humanities
Butler
Gary R
gbutler
false
yes
Gary R Butler
department-of-humanities
Professor
Office: McLaughlin College, 030
Phone: 416-736-2100 Ext: 44090
Email: gbutler@yorku.ca
Degrees
PhD, Memorial UniversityM. ès L., Université de Bordeaux III
BA, Memorial University
BEd, Memorial University
Appointments
Faculty of Graduate StudiesResearch Interests
Anthropology
, Culture and Cultural Studies, Oral Narrative Discourse, African & Caribbean Oral Tradition
Current Research Projects
gbutler
Cultural Assimilation and Dissimilation: The African-Caribbean Narrative Tradition in Toronto
-
Summary:
This project traces the tradition of oral narrative from its roots in West Africa to the Caribbean (in particular, Trinidad & Tobago). It focuses on how the elements of this traditional culture had evolved in the new urban context of the Caribbean community in Toronto.
See more
Role:
Sole & Principal Investigator
End Date:
Funders:
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
End Date:
- Month: Sep Year: 2001
Funders:
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
Cultural Adaptation and Retention: The African-Caribbean Narrative Tradition in Toronto
See more
Role:
Principal and sole investigator
End Date:
Funders:
Secretary of State of Canada (Multiculturalism and Citizenship)
End Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2001
Funders:
Secretary of State of Canada (Multiculturalism and Citizenship)
Folkloristics and Conversational Discourse in Acadian Culture
See more
Role:
Principal and sole investigator
Funders:
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
Funders:
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
A Study of Folk Discourse Processes in Three Acadian Communities in Eastern Canada
See more
Role:
Principal and sole investigator
Funders:
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
Funders:
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
Books
Publication
Year
Histoire et traditions orales des Franco-Acadiens de Terre-Neuve. Québec: Éditions du Septentrion, 1995.
1995
Saying Isn't Believing: Conversation, Narrative and the Discourse of Belief in a French-Newfoundland Community. St. John's and Philadelphia: Institute of Social and Economic Research/Publications of the American Folklore Society, 1991.
1991
Book Chapters
Publication
Year
with Ruth King. 'Les Franco-Terreneuviens et le franco-terreneuvien.' Le français en Amérique du Nord. Ed. Julie Auger et Albert Valdman. Québec: Presses de l’Université Laval, 2005. 168-187.
2005
'Le diable dans le legendaire des Franco-Acadiens de Terre-Neuve.' Entre Beauce et Acadie: facelles d’un parcours ethnologique. Ed. Jean-Pierre Pichette. Québec: Presses de l’Université Laval, 2001. 294-313.
2001
'Beyond the Text: The Importance of Cognitive Expansion in Folkloristic analysis.' Studies in Newfoundland Folklore: Community and Process. Ed. G. Thomas and J.D. Widdowson. St. John's: Breakwater Books, 1991. 215-226.
1991
'The lutin Tradition in French Newfoundland: Discourse and Belief.' The Good People: New Fairylore Studies. Ed. Peter Narvaez. New York: Garland Publications, 1991. 5-21.
1991
'Folk Belief in Newfoundland and Labrador.' The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. Ed. Joseph R. Smallwood. Vol. II. St John's: Newfoundland Book Publishers, 1984. 244-46.
1984
Professional Journal Articles
Publication
Year
with R. King. 'The Discourse Marker 'Mais Dame': Past & Present Functions.' Canadian Journal of Linguistics 53.1 (2008): 63-82.
2008
with R. King & T. Nadasdi. 'First Person Plural in Prince Edward Island Acadian French: The Fate of the Vernacular Variant je…ons.' Language Variation and Change 16.3 (2004): 237-255.
2004
'Personal Experience Narratives and the Social Construction of Meaning in Confrontational Discourse.' New Perspectives in Canadian Folklore. Ed. Peter Narvaez. Spec. issue of Journal of American Folklore 115 (2002): 154-174.
2002
Butler, Gary, ed. Contemporary Cultural Discourses: An Anthology. Spec. Issue of Canadian Folklore canadien 18.1 (1996).
1996
'Introduction: Contemporary Cultural Discourses.' Canadian Folklore canadien 18.1(1996): 5-12.
1996
'Oral Narrative as an Index of Cultural Resistance in Toronto's Caribbean Community.' Canadian Folklore canadien 18.1 (1996): 71-94.
1996
with K. Warner. ''Spare Any Change?': Power and Discourse in Toronto's Panhandling Subculture.' Canadian Folklore canadien 18.1 (1996): 13-26.
1996
'Ethnographic Approaches in Mass Media Research: The Social Dimension in Television Studies.' Lore & Language.
1995
'La tradition musicale des Franco-Acadiens de Terre-Neuve: une étude descriptive.' Canadian Folk Music Journal 23.1 (1995): 3-19.
1995
Butler, Gary and P. Greenhill, ed. Folkloristics and Ethnology in Canada. Spec. Issue of Journal of Canadian Studies 29:1 (1994).
1994
'Discourse, Evidentiality and the Seventh Son Healing Tradition in French-Newfoundland Culture.' Canadian Folklore canadien 16.1 (1994): 158-183.
1994
'Introduction: Folklore & Ethnology in Canada.' Spec. Issue of Journal of Canadian Studies 29.1 (1994): 3-10.
1994
'L’Acadie et la France se rencontrent: le peuplement franco-acadien de la baie St-Georges, Terre-Neuve.' Newfoundland Studies 10.2 (1994): 180-207.
1994
'Indexicality, Authority and Communication in Traditional Narrative Discourse.' Journal of American Folklore 105 (1992): 34-56.
1992
Conference Proceedings
Publication
Year
'Les grandes tendances en ethnologie au Canada anglais.' Ethnologie francophone de l’Amérique et d’ailleurs. Ed. Laurier Turgeon et Anne-Marie Desdouits. Québec: Les Presses de l’Université Laval, 1997. 94-102.
1997
'L’importance de l’étude du discours traditionnel en milieu franco-ontarien.' L’oeuvre de Germain Lemieux, S.J.: Bilan d’ethnologie en Ontario français. Ed. Jean-Pierre Pichette. Ottawa: Collection Ancarages, 1993. 427-437.
1993
Published Reviews
Publication
Year
Ronald Labelle. "Review: 'Histoire et traditions orales des Franco-Acadiens de Terre-Neuve'." Revue de l'Amérique française 50.2 (1996): 250-253.
1996
Michele D. Dominy. "Review: 'Saying Isn't Believing'." Journal of Linguistic Anthropology 3.1 (1993): 122-123.
1993
Marie-Annick Desplanques. "Review: 'Saying Isn't Believing'." Culture & Tradition 14.1 (1992): 75-78.
1992
Current Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2025 | AP/HUMA3664 3.0 | M | Caribbean Traditional Culture | SEMR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/HUMA1900 9.0 | A | Traditional and Popular Culture | LECT |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/HUMA1900 9.0 | A | Traditional and Popular Culture | TUTR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/HUMA1900 9.0 | A | Traditional and Popular Culture | TUTR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/HUMA1900 9.0 | A | Traditional and Popular Culture | TUTR |
Degrees
PhD, Memorial UniversityM. ès L., Université de Bordeaux III
BA, Memorial University
BEd, Memorial University
Appointments
Faculty of Graduate StudiesResearch Interests
Anthropology
, Culture and Cultural Studies, Oral Narrative Discourse, African & Caribbean Oral Tradition
Current Research Projects
gbutler
Cultural Assimilation and Dissimilation: The African-Caribbean Narrative Tradition in Toronto
-
Summary:
This project traces the tradition of oral narrative from its roots in West Africa to the Caribbean (in particular, Trinidad & Tobago). It focuses on how the elements of this traditional culture had evolved in the new urban context of the Caribbean community in Toronto.
Project Type: FundedRole: Sole & Principal Investigator
End Date:
- Month: Sep Year: 2001
Funders:
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
Cultural Adaptation and Retention: The African-Caribbean Narrative Tradition in Toronto
-
Project Type:
Funded
Role: Principal and sole investigator
End Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2001
Funders:
Secretary of State of Canada (Multiculturalism and Citizenship)
Folkloristics and Conversational Discourse in Acadian Culture
-
Project Type:
Funded
Role: Principal and sole investigator
Funders:
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
A Study of Folk Discourse Processes in Three Acadian Communities in Eastern Canada
-
Project Type:
Funded
Role: Principal and sole investigator
Funders:
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada
All Publications
Book Chapters
Publication
Year
with Ruth King. 'Les Franco-Terreneuviens et le franco-terreneuvien.' Le français en Amérique du Nord. Ed. Julie Auger et Albert Valdman. Québec: Presses de l’Université Laval, 2005. 168-187.
2005
'Le diable dans le legendaire des Franco-Acadiens de Terre-Neuve.' Entre Beauce et Acadie: facelles d’un parcours ethnologique. Ed. Jean-Pierre Pichette. Québec: Presses de l’Université Laval, 2001. 294-313.
2001
'Beyond the Text: The Importance of Cognitive Expansion in Folkloristic analysis.' Studies in Newfoundland Folklore: Community and Process. Ed. G. Thomas and J.D. Widdowson. St. John's: Breakwater Books, 1991. 215-226.
1991
'The lutin Tradition in French Newfoundland: Discourse and Belief.' The Good People: New Fairylore Studies. Ed. Peter Narvaez. New York: Garland Publications, 1991. 5-21.
1991
'Folk Belief in Newfoundland and Labrador.' The Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. Ed. Joseph R. Smallwood. Vol. II. St John's: Newfoundland Book Publishers, 1984. 244-46.
1984
Books
Publication
Year
Histoire et traditions orales des Franco-Acadiens de Terre-Neuve. Québec: Éditions du Septentrion, 1995.
1995
Saying Isn't Believing: Conversation, Narrative and the Discourse of Belief in a French-Newfoundland Community. St. John's and Philadelphia: Institute of Social and Economic Research/Publications of the American Folklore Society, 1991.
1991
Professional Journal Articles
Publication
Year
with R. King. 'The Discourse Marker 'Mais Dame': Past & Present Functions.' Canadian Journal of Linguistics 53.1 (2008): 63-82.
2008
with R. King & T. Nadasdi. 'First Person Plural in Prince Edward Island Acadian French: The Fate of the Vernacular Variant je…ons.' Language Variation and Change 16.3 (2004): 237-255.
2004
'Personal Experience Narratives and the Social Construction of Meaning in Confrontational Discourse.' New Perspectives in Canadian Folklore. Ed. Peter Narvaez. Spec. issue of Journal of American Folklore 115 (2002): 154-174.
2002
Butler, Gary, ed. Contemporary Cultural Discourses: An Anthology. Spec. Issue of Canadian Folklore canadien 18.1 (1996).
1996
'Introduction: Contemporary Cultural Discourses.' Canadian Folklore canadien 18.1(1996): 5-12.
1996
'Oral Narrative as an Index of Cultural Resistance in Toronto's Caribbean Community.' Canadian Folklore canadien 18.1 (1996): 71-94.
1996
with K. Warner. ''Spare Any Change?': Power and Discourse in Toronto's Panhandling Subculture.' Canadian Folklore canadien 18.1 (1996): 13-26.
1996
'Ethnographic Approaches in Mass Media Research: The Social Dimension in Television Studies.' Lore & Language.
1995
'La tradition musicale des Franco-Acadiens de Terre-Neuve: une étude descriptive.' Canadian Folk Music Journal 23.1 (1995): 3-19.
1995
Butler, Gary and P. Greenhill, ed. Folkloristics and Ethnology in Canada. Spec. Issue of Journal of Canadian Studies 29:1 (1994).
1994
'Discourse, Evidentiality and the Seventh Son Healing Tradition in French-Newfoundland Culture.' Canadian Folklore canadien 16.1 (1994): 158-183.
1994
'Introduction: Folklore & Ethnology in Canada.' Spec. Issue of Journal of Canadian Studies 29.1 (1994): 3-10.
1994
'L’Acadie et la France se rencontrent: le peuplement franco-acadien de la baie St-Georges, Terre-Neuve.' Newfoundland Studies 10.2 (1994): 180-207.
1994
'Indexicality, Authority and Communication in Traditional Narrative Discourse.' Journal of American Folklore 105 (1992): 34-56.
1992
Conference Proceedings
Publication
Year
'Les grandes tendances en ethnologie au Canada anglais.' Ethnologie francophone de l’Amérique et d’ailleurs. Ed. Laurier Turgeon et Anne-Marie Desdouits. Québec: Les Presses de l’Université Laval, 1997. 94-102.
1997
'L’importance de l’étude du discours traditionnel en milieu franco-ontarien.' L’oeuvre de Germain Lemieux, S.J.: Bilan d’ethnologie en Ontario français. Ed. Jean-Pierre Pichette. Ottawa: Collection Ancarages, 1993. 427-437.
1993
Published Reviews
Publication
Year
Ronald Labelle. "Review: 'Histoire et traditions orales des Franco-Acadiens de Terre-Neuve'." Revue de l'Amérique française 50.2 (1996): 250-253.
1996
Michele D. Dominy. "Review: 'Saying Isn't Believing'." Journal of Linguistic Anthropology 3.1 (1993): 122-123.
1993
Marie-Annick Desplanques. "Review: 'Saying Isn't Believing'." Culture & Tradition 14.1 (1992): 75-78.
1992
Current Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter 2025 | AP/HUMA3664 3.0 | M | Caribbean Traditional Culture | SEMR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/HUMA1900 9.0 | A | Traditional and Popular Culture | LECT |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/HUMA1900 9.0 | A | Traditional and Popular Culture | TUTR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/HUMA1900 9.0 | A | Traditional and Popular Culture | TUTR |
| Fall/Winter 2024 | AP/HUMA1900 9.0 | A | Traditional and Popular Culture | TUTR |
