Linguistic Anthropology: Language and Identity Study Notes

Explain how identity is a process of repeated choices and actions.
Provide examples of how language constructs different identities.
Distinguish between marked and unmarked categories with examples.
Describe how accents and language varieties can index identities in both positive and negative ways.

Identity is defined as a process of continuous repeated performance, which is often regulated by the perceptions and responses of others.
Individuals embody multiple identities, which can be highlighted or backgrounded depending on various social contexts.
Identities are dynamic, emerging and shifting during interactions through language.
The human tendency to identify and categorize individuals can lead to inequalities in social interactions.

Marked Categories: Signify the unusual, non-normal, or noticeable aspects within a linguistic framework.
The term "terrorist" is explored in the context of dominant American discourse: - Examples: - Americans are not perceived as terrorists. - White terrorists and Christian terrorists are often overlooked as a marked category. - Therefore, the implicit definition of a terrorist becomes: foreign, non-White, non-Christian. - Implications: This leads to a construction of difference, creating an 'us' vs. 'them' dichotomy.

Examples: - Characters like Scar, Gru, and Donkey illustrate how marked categories can influence perceptions.
Implications: Viewers may develop negative language ideologies, fostering biases towards foreigners and individuals from lower socio-economic statuses.

Survey Question: "How important is the ability to speak English or French for being truly Canadian?"
An exploration of societal beliefs regarding language proficiency as a marker of national identity.

Over 60 Indigenous languages exist in Canada, which are crucial to cultural identity.
These languages face a catch-22 situation, requiring safeguarding efforts.
Language Revitalization Initiatives: - Various programs and campaigns are in place throughout Canada to revive and maintain Indigenous languages.

Heritage Language: The language spoken at home by a community that differs from the dominant societal language.
Language Loss: The decline of speech in a language due to factors like cultural assimilation.
Language Shift: Transitioning from a heritage language to a dominant language.

Panjabi, Polish, Mandarin, Russian, Gujarati, Chinese (Cantonese), Arabic, Portuguese, Persian, Tagalog, Bengali, Italian, Korean, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Urdu, Greek, German, Serbian, Spanish, Tamil.

The phenomenon of first language attrition, where individuals lose proficiency in their first language due to lack of use or exposure to a dominant language.

Gender identity is seen as a continuous performance repeated throughout one’s life.
Identity is defined as a process of actively doing, rather than simply a state of being.

Examining what it means to speak “like a girl,” “like a boy,” or “like an nb”.
Linguistic Features Involved: - Phonology: Sound patterns. - Morphology: Structure of words. - Syntax: Sentence structure. - Lexicon: Vocabulary usage. - Pragmatics: Contextual aspects of language use.
Consideration of intersectionality and diversity in gender identities.

Definition: The historical and contemporary intersection of language and race.
Comparison of English vs. Black English: - Differences and nuances in language usage that signify cultural identities. - Incorporation of various accents, such as Latino and Chinese accents.

Examination of the differences between ethnicity, race, and nationality.
Analysis of first-language influences in second languages versus varieties of first languages.
Exploration of racism and linguistic discrimination, alongside the phenomenon of micro-aggressions in communication.

Individuals utilize racial, ethnic, or gendered linguistic traits to perform their identities.
Being identified through marked categories can lead to real-life consequences for individuals, influencing behavior, societal attitudes, and access to resources.
Awareness of the assumptions and ideologies that inform marked linguistic representations is essential for understanding identity formation in social interactions.