Chapter 10 Doing Linguistic Anthropology

Doing Linguistic Anthropology 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 Extinction How many languages in the world? How many languages in the world? 6,300 current estimate 6,300 current estimate – How many are at risk (under 20,000 speakers)? Nearly 4,000 Nearly 4,000 – How many have fewer than 100 speakers? Nearly 500. Nearly 500.

Language Revitalization Factors that can help (Yamamoto): Factors that can help (Yamamoto): – 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 Marked and unmarked forms – Are unmarked forms really neutral? Anyone in KS can have an abortion if he wants one? Anyone in KS can have an abortion if he wants one? Words and metaphors Words and metaphors – Descriptors: handsome, pleasant – Metaphors: IDEAS are BUILDINGS Discourse Discourse – Address forms “Hello, girls” / “Greetings, professor” “Hello, girls” / “Greetings, professor”

Hidden Bias in Language: Racism The non-neutrality of unmarked forms The non-neutrality of unmarked forms – Did the South really lose the Civil War? Words and metaphors Words and metaphors – The guys in the white hats – The dark side Discourse Discourse – Mock Spanish: a site for the unconscious reproduction of racism (Jane Hill).

Linguistic Anthropology Today Increasing focus on discourse Increasing focus on discourse – Language in cultural settings – Language as a cultural resource – Speaking as a cultural practice – Communicating across cultures With renewed attention to descriptive analysis With renewed attention to descriptive analysis And renewed attention to language origins And renewed attention to language origins Maintaining a four-field focus. Maintaining a four-field focus.

Using Linguistic Anthropology Learning new languages Learning new languages – a fieldwork approach Learning new languacultures (Agar) Learning new languacultures (Agar) – ethnosemantics – Rich Points on the MAR Reading and thinking critically about language, and more…. Reading and thinking critically about language, and more….

Ethics in Fieldwork The importance of ethics 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 the AAA code of ethics –