Anthropology 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Language Revitalization, Linguistic Determinism, Linguistic Relativity

• School: Western University
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: Anthropology 1020E
• Professor: hodgetts

Document Summary

We are our language by barbra meek. Ethnographic methods: participant observation, naturally occurring talk, Linguistic methods: formal linguistic description and analysis. Language and culture cannot be separated; it"s a matter of focus. Study of language as an abstract system. Look for differences, variations that mark social groups. Example: language revitalization: acquisition of the second language vs changes in identity and language use. Speakers of different languages live in different worlds . Every language is equally capable of expressing everything speakers need to say. Linguistic categories determine how we experience and think about the world (strong version) Linguistic categories influence how we experience and think about the world (strong version) Language can only emerge within a culture and society. Similar culture, different languages; same language, different cultures. Different language varieties of the same language. Variations in individual experiences lead to unequal linguistic and cultural knowledge. Language does not absolutely determine our thoughts.