Linguistic Anthropology

Chapter 1

IntroductionWhat is linguistic anthropology?

What is anthropology?

IntroductionAnthropology is the study of humans and can

includeCultureLanguageBiologyArtifacts

IntroductionAnthropology has four fields (four-field approach)

Cultural anthropology (studies culture, behavior, and beliefs)

Archaeology (studies culture of people no longer alive; analyzes artifacts)

Physical/Biological (studies human origins, variation, and evolution

Linguistics (studies language, language change, and cultural context

Anthropologists have a base in all four and a specialization in one

Linguistic AnthropologyLinguistic Anthropology Analyzes:

Structure and patterns of languageLanguage in cultural contextHow language is learned and how it changesHow language is used as powerHow language is connected to cultural identityThe ideas we hold about language

AnthropologyAnthropology is holistic

It tries to see the whole picture

This is why we use all four fields

We also use other disciplines

And we apply it to the real world

AnthropologyWe will use the comparative approach

We will compare different languages and culturesWe will focus on similarities and not only on

differences

We will use cultural relativityDifferent cultural ideas can seem weird to usWe will refrain from judgment We will try to see things through the eyes of those

who practice them

AnthropologyWe will avoid ethnocentrism

Judging others by one’s own termsTwo types:

1. using your own system to understand what someone else is doing

2. insisting that only your system is the correct way to interpret something

AnthropologyExample:

The Buddhist religion views the soul as continuing on past death; this is similar to Christian views

But Buddhists believe in reincarnation and several different types of hell; this is not correct because the Christian view says those who die either go to heaven or hell

AnthropologyExample:

This island culture uses shells as currency, very similar to our practice of using paper or metal as currency

This culture does not have “real” money because shells aren’t worth anything

Frames of ReferenceWe have to shift our frames of reference:

How we see the worldThe lenses that we look through (determined by

culture)

Language and culture are not the same thing, but they are interrelated

Sapir (1884-1939) discussed worldview: how we experience the world around usHow might language affect or be affected by

worldview?

Frames of ReferenceIf we study other languages and other cultures,

do we have to change our cultural identities?

Can we shift our frames of references without drastically changing our worldviews?

VideoVideo Log:

Fluent in 11 Languages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpSCTr0JfLo

Questions:

What technique does he use to learn languages?

How does this video show the ability to switch worldview or frames of reference?

AssignmentICA#1: Read “Shakespeare in the Bush” and

discuss:

Is the understanding of Hamlet the same cross-culturally?

What are examples of shifting frames of reference?

What are examples of cultural relativity?

FieldworkAnthropologists collect data through fieldwork,

or going into areas and working with a cultural groupParticipant observation: immerse yourself into

the culture and participate in daily life as if you were native (involves learning language)

Observations Interviewing key respondents or key

informants

Must avoid enthocentrism

FieldworkFieldwork began with Franz Boaz (1858-1942),

the Father of American Anthropology

Until him, the practice was “armchair anthropology”Can you really learn about a culture by reading

about them in a book?

There was also a tendency to categorize people, and Boaz rallied against this

It’s all about cultural relativity!

FieldworkThere can be cultural miscommunications.

Read box on pg. 8

FieldworkFieldwork is also considered a right of passage

and an initiation for becoming a real anthropologist

EthicsWhen conducting fieldwork, there are ethical

considerations

Work must not harm (and should benefit!) those studied

Must keep information confidential

Must adhere to strict rules of conduct

EthicsResearchers get IRB approval before collecting

any data

Must collect informed consent from all participants before collecting data Informs them of risks and benefitsExplains the projectExplains they can stop participating at any time

Ethical DilemmasRead the two ethical dilemma situations (I will

put them on overhead). What would you do in these situations?

Linguistics IntroductionWhat is a language?

What are the rules for defining a language?

Video: What Makes a Real Language: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/are-elvish-klingon-dothraki-and-na-vi-real-languages-john-mcwhorter

How Do We Get New Words?

The word “robot”: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-vernacular-robot-jessica-oreck-and-rachael-teel

Homework #1Read article “Tripping and Tricking” (on portal) and

complete the questions. This is due next class.

1. What is a key respondent?

2. What were some challenges with respondents the author chose?

3. Describe 3 examples of fieldwork we discussed in lecture.

4. What was the “single most important” technique for building trust?

5. What are some of the author’s ethical dilemmas?