Charles L. Briggs, Competence in performance: The creativity of tradition in Mexicano verbal art. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1988. Pp. xix + 427 (original) (raw)

Competence in Performance: The Creativity of Tradition in Mexicano Verbal Art explores the dynamics of verbal art within a Mexican community in Northern New Mexico. Through extensive fieldwork, the author investigates the phenomenon of 'textualization' in performing various genres, highlighting its implications for understanding discourse, ideology, and cultural identity. The study raises critical questions about the community's struggles against ideological domination and the significance of their traditional practices in maintaining cultural competence.