The Anthropology of Language: An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology

The Anthropology of The Anthropology of Language: An Introduction to Language: An Introduction to

Linguistic AnthropologyLinguistic Anthropology

Chapter 1 Linguistic Anthropology

“Krazy Kat Comic Strip - 1918

Introducing Linguistic Introducing Linguistic AnthropologyAnthropology

• Anthropology…Anthropology…– Anthropos – logos (logia)Anthropos – logos (logia)

Anthropology is HolisticAnthropology is Holistic

• Four Fields:Four Fields:– ArchaeologyArchaeology

– Physical AnthropologyPhysical Anthropology

– Cultural AnthropologyCultural Anthropology

– Linguistic AnthropologyLinguistic Anthropology

• Applied AnthropologyApplied Anthropology– A fifth field or a second dimension?A fifth field or a second dimension?

Cultural Diversity - FoodCultural Diversity - Food

What is a Taco?

But some foods can seem a bit “funny”

…even a bit ugly.

You might even wonder if you You might even wonder if you want to eat it?want to eat it?

Anthropology is ComparativeAnthropology is Comparative

• EthnocentrismEthnocentrism– frames of referenceframes of reference

• Cultural RelativityCultural Relativity

• CommonalitiesCommonalities

Anthropology is Fieldwork-Anthropology is Fieldwork-basedbased

• Living in another cultureLiving in another culture

• Participating in everyday activitiesParticipating in everyday activities

• Adapting to new frames of referenceAdapting to new frames of reference

• Learning Learning ‘‘insideinside’’ view. view.

New Guinea, 2001

Theoretical Linguistics is:Theoretical Linguistics is:

• FocusedFocused– On underlying structures and rulesOn underlying structures and rules

• SpecificSpecific– Deducing universal rules from specific languagesDeducing universal rules from specific languages

• Rule from English: if Rule from English: if OO follows follows VV, then use , then use PrepPrep – To To seesee the catthe cat inin the treethe tree– BUTBUT– HuonaHuona mpahampaha mwiri- mwiri-juujuu

• IntuitiveIntuitive– Using your own language as a source of data.Using your own language as a source of data.

Boas and FieldworkBoas and Fieldwork

• Language vs culture vs raceLanguage vs culture vs race

• Language as Language as windowwindow into culture into culture

• Language as necessary for fieldwork.Language as necessary for fieldwork.

Franz Boas, 1900, posing for model of Kwakiutl dancer

Some Fieldwork ConcernsSome Fieldwork Concerns

• Culture shockCulture shock

• IllnessIllness

• Ethics

• MitchellMitchell

Wedding preparations, Domoni, 1985