GOLN Linguistic Anthropology Book – Table of Contents

Linguistic anthropology is one of the four traditional branches of anthropology— the study of human diversity, past and present. Rooted in the linguistic tradition, it explores how language shapes and is shaped by social life. Linguistic anthropologists study how we use language to build and share meaning, form identities, create or contest social hierarchies and institutions, and shape the world around us. It’s concerned not only with the structure of languages themselves but also with the social and cultural contexts in which languages are spoken.

Linguistic Anthropology

Linguistic Anthropology

 

Origins and Development of Linguistic Anthropology

The origins of linguistic anthropology can be traced back to the early work of anthropologists like Franz Boas and Edward Sapir in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They rejected the then-prevalent view that some languages (and by extension, some races) were more primitive than others. Instead, they argued that all languages were complex and capable of expressing the full range of human thought.

This laid the foundation for the principle of linguistic relativism, also known as the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, which proposes that the language we speak shapes our perception of the world. While this idea has been contested and nuanced, it remains an influential concept in linguistic anthropology.

In the mid-20th century, linguistic anthropologists began to expand their focus beyond the structure of language to the social aspects of language use. This shift was influenced by the work of sociolinguists like William Labov and Dell Hymes, who explored how language varies and changes in social groups.

 

 

The Power of Language

Language is an integral part of our social life. It is through language that we communicate with others, express our thoughts and feelings, and negotiate our relationships and identities. But language is not just a neutral tool for communication; it is also a means of power and control.

Linguistic anthropologists have shown how language can reinforce social hierarchies and inequalities. For example, certain dialects or accents may be stigmatized, while others are seen as prestigious. This can reflect and reinforce social divisions, such as class, race, or gender.

Similarly, language can be used to exclude or marginalize certain groups. For instance, institutions often use official languages or specialized jargon, which can be inaccessible to those who do not speak these languages fluently.

On the other hand, language can also be a site of resistance and social change. Minority or marginalized groups may use language to assert their identity, challenge discrimination, and advocate for their rights.

 

 

Language in Context: The Ethnography of Communication

A central approach in linguistic anthropology is the ethnography of communication, which looks at language use in its cultural and social context. This involves observing and analyzing how people use language in their everyday interactions.

The ethnography of communication considers not only what is said (the content) but also how it is said (the form) and why it is said (the context). It looks at aspects like speech events, speech acts, and speech communities. For example, it might explore how a court hearing is structured, how insults are expressed in a particular culture, or how a community of teenagers uses language to create a distinct identity.

 

 

Language Change and Language Contact

Linguistic anthropologists are also interested in how languages change over time and how they are influenced by contact with other languages. Language change can result from various factors, such as social, economic, or political changes, technological innovation, or contact with other cultures.

Language contact can lead to phenomena like borrowing, code-switching (alternating between languages in a single conversation), or the development of new languages like pidgins and creoles. It provides insight into the dynamics of cultural exchange and power relations.

 

 

Endangered Languages and Language Revitalization

Today, many of the world’s languages are at risk of extinction. This loss of linguistic diversity is a concern for linguistic anthropologists, not only because of the loss of linguistic knowledge but also because language is closely tied to cultural identity and worldview.

In response, linguistic anthropologists have been involved in efforts to document endangered languages and to support language revitalization. This involves working closely with communities to record and preserve their languages and to develop resources for language learning and use.

 

Linguistic anthropology offers a unique perspective on the human condition by examining the crucial role that language plays in our social and cultural lives. It illuminates how language shapes, and is shaped by, our identities, relationships, and societies. By studying the diverse ways in which people use language across cultures and over time, linguistic anthropology deepens our understanding of what it means to be human.

 

GOLN Linguistic Anthropology Book – Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
    1. What is Linguistic Anthropology?
    2. The Importance of Studying Language in Culture
  2. Historical Overview of Linguistic Anthropology
    1. Early Foundations
    2. Key Theoretical Developments
    3. Contemporary Trends
  3. Language and Thought
    1. The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
    2. Cognitive Anthropology and Cultural Models
  4. Language in Context: The Ethnography of Communication
    1. Speech Events, Speech Acts, and Speech Communities
    2. Conversation Analysis
  5. Language and Identity
    1. Language and Gender
    2. Language and Ethnicity
    3. Language and Social Class
  6. Language and Power
    1. The Politics of Language
    2. Language Ideologies and Hegemony
    3. Language and Colonialism
  7. Language Variation and Change
    1. Sociolinguistic Variation
    2. Dialectology
    3. Language Contact and Bilingualism
  8. Language, Culture, and the Body
    1. Nonverbal Communication
    2. Proxemics and Kinesics
  9. Multimodality and Digital Communication
    1. Language and Media
    2. Digital Linguistic Anthropology
  10. Language Endangerment and Revitalization
    1. The Crisis of Language Loss
    2. Documenting Endangered Languages
    3. Strategies for Language Revitalization
  11. Linguistic Anthropology in Practice
    1. Applications in Education and Policy
    2. Applied Linguistic Anthropology
  12. The Future of Linguistic Anthropology
    1. New Directions and Challenges
    2. The Role of Linguistic Anthropology in a Globalized World
  13. Appendix
    1. Glossary of Key Terms
    2. Notable Linguistic Anthropologists and their Contributions
  14. Bibliography
  15. Index

 

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