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Linguistic Anthropology Going Out and Doing It
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Doing Linguistic Anthropology Language extinction and revitalization... Unmasking hidden bias in language... Linguistic Anthropology today... Using Linguistic Anthropology....
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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
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Language Revitalization Factors that can help – Dominant culture favors linguistic diversity – Speakers have strong sense of ethnic identity – There are educational/cultural programs – There are bilingual programs in the schools
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Language Revitalization Factors that can help – 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
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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”
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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 (?)
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Linguistic Anthropology Today 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 And renewed attention to language origins Maintaining a four-field focus
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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….
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Always Remember The importance of ethics – being a good guest – adapting to different living styles – adjusting frames of reference – providing culturally relevant assistance – doing no harm American Anthropological Association Code of Ethics – http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ethcode.htm http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ethcode.htm
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