Chapter 10Doing Linguistic

Anthropology

Doing Linguistic Doing Linguistic AnthropologyAnthropology

• Language extinction and revitalization. . .Language extinction and revitalization. . .• Unmasking hidden bias in language. . .Unmasking hidden bias in language. . .• Linguistic Anthropology today. . .Linguistic Anthropology today. . .• Using linguistic anthropology. . . .Using linguistic anthropology. . . .

Language ExtinctionLanguage Extinction

• How many languages in the world?How many languages in the world?• 6,300 current estimate6,300 current estimate

– How many are at risk (under 20,000 speakers)?How many are at risk (under 20,000 speakers)?• Nearly 4,000Nearly 4,000

– How many have fewer than 100 speakers?How many have fewer than 100 speakers?• Nearly 500.Nearly 500.

Language RevitalizationLanguage Revitalization

• Factors that can help (Yamamoto):Factors that can help (Yamamoto):– Dominant culture favors linguistic diversityDominant culture favors linguistic diversity– Speakers have strong sense of ethnic identitySpeakers have strong sense of ethnic identity– There are educational/cultural programsThere are educational/cultural programs– There are bilingual programs in the schoolsThere are bilingual programs in the schools– Native speakers are trained as language teachersNative speakers are trained as language teachers– The speech community is involvedThe speech community is involved– There are easy-to-use language materialsThere are easy-to-use language materials– There is literature in the languageThere is literature in the language– There are environments where the language is used.There are environments where the language is used.

Hidden Bias in Language: Hidden Bias in Language: GenderGender

• Marked and unmarked formsMarked and unmarked forms– Are unmarked forms really neutral?Are unmarked forms really neutral?

• Anyone in KS can have an abortion if Anyone in KS can have an abortion if hehe wants one? wants one?

• Words and metaphorsWords and metaphors– Descriptors: handsome, pleasantDescriptors: handsome, pleasant– Metaphors: Metaphors: IDEAS are BUILDINGSIDEAS are BUILDINGS

• DiscourseDiscourse– Address formsAddress forms

• ““Hello, girlsHello, girls”” / / ““Greetings, professorGreetings, professor””

Hidden Bias in Language: Hidden Bias in Language: RacismRacism

• The non-neutrality of unmarked formsThe non-neutrality of unmarked forms– Did the Did the SouthSouth really lose the Civil War? really lose the Civil War?

• Words and metaphorsWords and metaphors– The guys in the The guys in the whitewhite hats hats– The The darkdark side side

• DiscourseDiscourse– Mock Spanish: Mock Spanish:

a site for the a site for the unconsciousunconscious reproduction of racism reproduction of racism (Jane Hill). (Jane Hill).

Linguistic Anthropology Linguistic Anthropology TodayToday

• Increasing focus on discourseIncreasing focus on discourse– Language in cultural settingsLanguage in cultural settings– Language as a cultural resourceLanguage as a cultural resource– Speaking as a cultural practiceSpeaking as a cultural practice– Communicating across culturesCommunicating across cultures

• With renewed attention to descriptive analysisWith renewed attention to descriptive analysis• And renewed attention to language originsAnd renewed attention to language origins• Maintaining a four-field focus.Maintaining a four-field focus.

Using Linguistic Using Linguistic AnthropologyAnthropology

• Learning new languagesLearning new languages– a fieldwork approacha fieldwork approach

• Learning new languacultures (Agar)Learning new languacultures (Agar)– ethnosemanticsethnosemantics– Rich Points on the MARRich Points on the MAR

• Reading and thinking critically about Reading and thinking critically about language, and more….language, and more….

Ethics in FieldworkEthics in Fieldwork

• The importance of ethics The importance of ethics – being a good guestbeing a good guest– adapting to different living stylesadapting to different living styles– adjusting frames of referenceadjusting frames of reference– providing culturally relevant assistance providing culturally relevant assistance – doing no harmdoing no harm

• the AAA code of ethicsthe AAA code of ethics– http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ethcode.htm