L1 - Anthropological Languistics for English

Introduction to Anthropological Linguistics

1. Project Topic: Anthropological Linguistics

2. Project Outline Introduction Branches Theories Aims Conclusion

3. Introduction Linguistics is the science of language. It deals with the study of human language (Bauer, 2007: 11). According to Hannerz, “ Anthropology is the science of humanity which studies human being in aspects of society and culture. ” Thus, Anthropological Linguistics is the study of how language is used in everyday life and how it is integrated into the various cultures around the world (Rowe, 2006: 211).

4. Introduction Anthropologists are keenly interested in language use, structure, and change, and the relations among language, society and culture. The study includes speech communities the performing of language language socialization power in language.

5. Introduction Speech Community : A group of people who share similar ideas, uses and norms of language. Performing of Language: The performing of language can be separated to the following. Conversation as a culture (Direct vs. Indirect Communication) (Formal vs. Informal Speech) (Conversation Style) Gesture

6. Introduction Language Socialization : The process of getting socialized through language and the process of getting socialized to language. Power in Language: Language plays a crucial role in mediating differences in power between speakers. There are five levels of language ideologies:   Group or individual interests Multiplicity of ideologies Awareness of speakers Mediating functions of ideologies Role of language ideology in identity construction

7. Branches of Anthropological Linguistics Following are the branches of anthropological linguistics: Descriptive linguistics Historical linguistics Ethnolinguistics Sociolinguistics

8. Branches of Anthropological Linguistics Descriptive (Synchronic) linguistics: Describes dialects (forms of a language used by a specific speech community). Descriptive linguistic is the work, of objectively analyzing and describing how language is spoken (or how it was spoken in past) by a group of people in speech community.

9. Branches of Anthropological Linguistics Historical (Diachronic) linguistics: Describes changes in dialects and languages over time. According to Brian D. Joseph defines Historical linguistics, as the branch of linguistics that is concerned with language change in general and with specific changes in languages, and in particular. With describing them. With cataloging them. And ultimately with explaining them.

10. Branches of Anthropological Linguistics Ethnolinguistics: Ethnolinguistic is a field of linguistics which studies the relationship between language and culture, and the way different ethnic groups perceive the world. It is the combination between ethnology and linguistics. Ethno linguists study the way perception and conceptualization influences language, and show how this is linked to different cultures and societies.

11. Branches of Anthropological Linguistics Sociolinguistics: Sociolinguistics is the study of relation of language with society and the way language is used. Sociolinguistics is the study of effect of the society on the language, while the latter’s focus is on the language’s effect on the society.

12. Theories of Anthropological Linguistics FRANZ BOAS’s Theory EDWARD SAPIR’s Theory Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

13. FRANZ BOAS’s Theory (Father of American Anthropology) Franz Boas was an anthropologist whose main work was devoted to prove the inexistence of some racist interpretations regarding language, thought and culture. He affirmed that all human beings were essentially equal. He claimed that language might facilitate certain type of thinking and would provide elements to understand some unconscious patterns of culture and thought, but it would not prevent people from developing certain advanced ways of thinking.

14. EDWARD SAPIR’s Theory He was an American anthropologist-linguist, who is considered one of the most important figures in the early development of the discipline of linguistics. He was a student of Boas and he worked upon his teacher’s theories, but he also developed his own theories. Sapir pointed out a strong influence of language on thought and culture.

15. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis The most interesting theory about language and culture came from Benjamin Lee Whorf and Edward Sapir. The theory is called Whorfian hypothesis or the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. It is also called the theory of linguistic relativity. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis can be divided into two components: Linguistic Determinism Linguistic Relativity Expression of thoughts Cultural determinism of language

16. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Expression of Thoughts: Happiness: Happiness is an emotion that is associated with a state of mind that reflects satisfaction, pleasure or joy.

17. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Sadness: Sadness is an emotional pain associated with, or characterized by, feelings of disadvantage, loss, despair, grief, helplessness, disappointment and sorrow.

18. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Surprise: Surprise is an emotion that is associated with a brief state of being. This brief state of being is invoked by an unexpected, relevant event.

19. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Anger: Anger is an emotion that is associated within the range of minor irritation to intense rage.

20. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Cultural determinism of language Language expresses cultural reality: Words express facts, ideas or events that are communicable. Words reflect attitudes, beliefs and point of view.

21. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Language embodies cultural reality: The (spoken, written or visual) medium people choose to communicate with one another create meanings that are understandable to the group they belong to. Language symbolizes cultural reality: Language is viewed as a symbol of social identity.

22. Aims of Anthropological Linguistics The aims of anthropological linguistics, as described by Dell Hymes are as follows: Evaluation of differences and similarities among languages. The significance of linguistic patterns for the basic outlook of people (i.e. their world view). The relation between people’s vocabulary and their other interests. How speaking enters into norms of interaction among persons.

23. Aims of Anthropological Linguistics How the motives of play and art are manifested linguistically. The relation between levels or varieties of speech on the one hand in types of community and their boundaries on the other. How social factors enter into linguistic change.

24. Conclusion Linguistic anthropology examines language through the lenses of anthropological concerns. The concerns include the transmission and reproduction of culture, the relationship between cultural systems and different forms of social organization, and the role of the material conditions of existence in a people’s understanding of the world. So, the relationship between the environment, the culture, and the language of a people is self-reinforcing. 

25. The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences. Ruth Benedict

26. Thank You

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