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Chapter 10
Doing Linguistic Anthropology
Doing Linguistic Anthropology
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Language extinction and revitalization. . .
Unmasking hidden bias in language. . .
Linguistic Anthropology today. . .
Using linguistic anthropology. . . .
Language Extinction
• How many languages in the world?
• 6,300 current estimate
– How many are at risk (under 20,000 speakers)?
• Nearly 4,000
– How many have fewer than 100 speakers?
• Nearly 500.
Language Revitalization
• Factors that can help (Yamamoto):
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Dominant culture favors linguistic diversity
Speakers have strong sense of ethnic identity
There are educational/cultural programs
There are bilingual programs in the schools
Native speakers are trained as language teachers
The speech community is involved
There are easy-to-use language materials
There is literature in the language
There are environments where the language is used.
Hidden Bias in Language:
Gender
• Marked and unmarked forms
– Are unmarked forms really neutral?
• Anyone in KS can have an abortion if he wants one?
• Words and metaphors
– Descriptors: handsome, pleasant
– Metaphors: IDEAS are BUILDINGS
• Discourse
– Address forms
• “Hello, girls” / “Greetings, professor”
Hidden Bias in Language:
Racism
• The non-neutrality of unmarked forms
– Did the South really lose the Civil War?
• Words and metaphors
– The guys in the white hats
– The dark side
• Discourse
– Mock Spanish:
a site for the unconscious reproduction of racism
(Jane Hill).
Linguistic Anthropology Today
• Increasing focus on discourse
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Language in cultural settings
Language as a cultural resource
Speaking as a cultural practice
Communicating across cultures
• With renewed attention to descriptive analysis
• And renewed attention to language origins
• Maintaining a four-field focus.
Using Linguistic Anthropology
• Learning new languages
– a fieldwork approach
• Learning new languacultures (Agar)
– ethnosemantics
– Rich Points on the MAR
• Reading and thinking critically about
language, and more….
Ethics in Fieldwork
• The importance of ethics
– being a good guest
– adapting to different living styles
– adjusting frames of reference
– providing culturally relevant assistance
– doing no harm
• the AAA code of ethics
– http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ethcode.htm