ANTHRO Chapter 4: Language

Why are anthropologists interested in language?

Why are anthropologists interested in language?

Anthropologists study language because it is a means of communication during fieldwork, provides insight into a culture's worldview and social structure, and is essential for understanding cultural diversity and social identity

What is language?

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used to encode human experiences, encompassing both biological (anatomy, brain) and cultural (symbols, meanings) aspects.

What are the biological and cultural aspects of studying language?

Biological aspects involve the anatomy of speech organs and the brain, while cultural aspects include shared symbols, patterns, and rules of speech within specific contexts.

What is a speech community?

A speech community is a group of people who share a vocabulary, grammar, and assumptions about language use, reflecting both commonalities and diversity

What is communicative competence?

Communicative competence, introduced by Dell Hymes, refers to the ability to use language appropriately in social contexts, influenced by the social positions of both the speaker and listener, as well as the context of the interaction.

What are Charles Hockett's six key design features of human language?

Openness, displacement, arbitrariness, duality of patterning, prevarication, and semanticity.

What is linguistic relativity?

Linguistic relativity (Sapir-Whorf hypothesis) asserts that the structure of a language influences its speakers’ worldview and shapes how they perceive reality.

What is code-switching?

Code-switching is the practice of alternating between languages or dialects in a conversation, which can be conscious or unconscious.

What are the components of language studied in linguistics?

Phonology (sounds), morphology (word structure), syntax (sentence structure), semantics (meaning), and pragmatics (language use in context).

What is the difference between denotative and connotative meaning in semantics?

Denotative meaning is the literal definition of a word, while connotative meaning encompasses the emotional or contextual implications of that word.

How does language reflect and reinforce social inequalities?

Language is not neutral; it reflects social hierarchies and can marginalize certain dialects, leading to linguistic inequality and oppression.

In what ways does language relate to gender?

Language can both reflect and shape gender roles, perpetuating inequalities or serving as a tool for challenging and reshaping gender norms.

How does pragmatics differ from other components of language?

Pragmatics focuses on how meaning is derived from language use in specific contexts, examining discourse, ethnopragmatics, and indexicality.

What is the role of non-verbal communication in language?

Non-verbal communication, such as gestures and body language, complements and enhances spoken language, conveying meaning and identity.

Describe the different functions of gestures in communication.

Gestures can complement (raising eyebrow when asking question), accentuate , contradict (nodding then saying no), repeat (nodding and saying yes), substitute (using gestures instead of words), or regulate verbal messages (looking at someone to know if its their turn to speak) in conversation.

How is language related to power and inequality?

Language is shaped by colonialism, power dynamics, and social inequalities, influencing communication and relationships among people.

What is language ideology?

Language ideology refers to beliefs about how language relates to social features and power dynamics, revealing insights about the speakers.

What do social struggles in language reflect?

Social struggles reflect the interests and conflicts between different social groups regarding language use and status.

What is the role of linguistic anthropologists in studying language?

Linguistic anthropologists use their linguistic training and cultural analysis skills to study language ideologies and understand symbolic language use in social contexts.

What is language contact, and what influences it?

Language contact refers to the interaction between languages, influenced by factors like migration, colonialism, and education, leading to standardized or marginalized forms of speech.

Define linguistic ethnocentrism.

Linguistic ethnocentrism involves making value judgments about others' speech, reinforcing dominance and subordination among languages.

What are pidgins and creoles?

Pidgins are simple languages without native speakers, formed between distinct language groups. Creoles are more complex, evolving from pidgins and having native speakers.

What is African American English (AAE), and why is it significant?

AAE has its own grammar and syntax and is used in Black communities. It has been historically dismissed but is linguistically sophisticated, despite speakers facing discrimination.

What is linguistic resilience in Indigenous languages?

Indigenous languages face linguicide due to colonial policies aimed at eradicating them. Language revitalization efforts aim to preserve or revive these endangered languages.

How does language reflect gender roles?

Language can reinforce or challenge gender roles, with studies showing how language use intersects with ethnicity, class, and race.

How does language change and evolve?

Language is flexible and dynamic, adapting to new social experiences and cultural changes, such as shifts in pronoun usage.

What are constructed languages, and why do they emerge?

Constructed languages, including pidgins and creoles, develop to bridge communication gaps, with examples like Esperanto created for international use.

What are the five key design features of language?

Displacement (ability to discuss things not present in time or space), productivity (capacity to create and understand new messages) (language is learned socially, not biologically), cultural transmission, duality of patterning (distinction between sounds (phonemes) and meanings (morphemes)), and arbitrariness (no inherent connection between words and their meanings).

What positions exist in the debate around linguistic relativity?

The strong position asserts language determines thought (Sapir-Whorf hypothesis), while the weak position suggests language influences but does not strictly determine thought.

How do non-verbal communication forms complement language?

Non-verbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, and body language, which enhance meaning and context in verbal interactions and can vary by culture.

What is the impact of colonialism on language use?

Colonialism has influenced language through suppression (linguicide), leading to inequalities in language prestige and impacting social mobility.