The Anthropology of Language An Introduction to Linguistic

The Anthropology of Language: An Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology Chapter 1 Linguistic Anthropology

“Krazy Kat Comic Strip - 1918

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

Anthropology is Holistic • Four Fields: – Archaeology – Physical Anthropology – Cultural Anthropology – Linguistic Anthropology • Applied Anthropology – A fifth field or a second dimension?

Cultural Diversity - Food

What is a Taco?

But some foods can seem a bit “funny”

…even a bit ugly.

You might even wonder if you want to eat it?

Anthropology is Comparative • Ethnocentrism – frames of reference • Cultural Relativity • Commonalities

Anthropology is Fieldwork-based • • Living in another culture Participating in everyday activities Adapting to new frames of reference Learning ‘inside’ view. New Guinea, 2001

Theoretical Linguistics is: • Focused – On underlying structures and rules • Specific – Deducing universal rules from specific languages • Rule from English: if O follows V, then use Prep – To see the cat in the tree – BUT – Huona mpaha mwiri-juu • Intuitive – Using your own language as a source of data.

Boas and Fieldwork • Language vs culture vs race • Language as window into culture • Language as necessary for fieldwork. Franz Boas, 1900, posing for model of Kwakiutl dancer

Some Fieldwork Concerns • • Culture shock Illness Ethics Mitchell Wedding preparations, Domoni, 1985