Ramstedt J.G. Kalmückische Märchen. Gesammelt und Herausgegeben

Helsinki: Finnisch-Ugrische Gesellschaft, 2008. — x, 237 s. — ISBN: 9789525667066Gustaf John Ramstedt (1873—1950) is widely recognized as the founder of modern Mongolic and Comparative Altaic Studies. In his scholarly heritage, a particularly prominent place is occupied by the Kalmuck language. His first major publication in this field was his collection of Kalmuck folktales, of which the present volume is a reimpression. The original publication bore the general title Kalmückische Sprachproben. Erster Teil. Kalmückische Märchen. This work of 237 pages was issued in two parts. Ramstedt’s work on Kalmuck, or Oirat, continues to have a great symbolic value. His folktale material preserves an important section of Kalmuck cultural heritage. Similar material would be impossible to collect today. It may, therefore, be hoped that the reimpression of his work will serve not only as a source for scholarly quotations, but also as an inspiration towards the revigoration and preservation of the native language and culture among the Western Mongols across the entire Central Eurasia.