Language and Culture (Anthropology)

Course Description

This course is an introduction to linguistic anthropology, a subfield of cultural anthropology, which focuses on the role of language in the creation and maintenance of social interactions, cultural practices and values, and the development and persistence of a person's sense of self.

We explore the structure of language, its diversity in the world, and the different ways people embue words with meaning and use language to communicate through speaking and writing.

Goals of the course

• Explore the uniqueness of human language as one index of human capacity of culture

• Describe the structure and component parts of language

• Analyze the role of language in creating and maintaining social relations and interactions

• Examine the diverse ways people use language to communicate through speaking and writing

• Explore the role of language in shaping cultural values, power relations and sense of self.

Required Texts:

Bauer, Laurie and Peter Trudgill (eds.) 1998. Language Myths. New York: Penguin.

Homegirls: Language and Cultural Practice among Latina Youth Gangs by Norma Mendoza-Denton.

Blackwell Publishing.

Assignment

Instructions: You must answer number a), and any other of the following 3 questions-b.c or d).

Each question should not be more than a 4 page- type-written (nor a few paragraphs, or one- page) essay. Please begin each essay on a separate page (12 pt font size, double spacing is recommended).

Note: clarity of expression, the appropriate use of examples from the assigned book and concepts learned in class will be taken into account in awarding points. Make sure that each essay has introduction, body and conclusion.

Provide page numbers of cited quotations from the ethnography. Late and electronically submitted papers will not be accepted.

Section I

a) Would you say that the positionality (as insider or outsider) of Norman-Denton among the homegirls helped or hindered her research efforts? Whichever position you take, support your answer with five specific examples from the book on her methodology, dealings with informants and the analysis of the book.

Section II

b) Discuss four main ways in which Homegirls transgress gender and societal norms in SJHS. What consequences do they suffer for these transgressions, and do you think these are justified or not.

c) What do you like about the book Homgirls? What aspects of it do you dislike? In each case give four specific examples taking into account the book's contribution to linguistic anthropology, it structure, content and author's subjective location in the analysis.

d) Norman-Denton has put forward two main hypotheses to explain the long-term impact of gang culture on Homegirls. Identify and briefly explain each of these hypotheses. Drawing specific examples from the book show four main ways in which either of the hypothesis best informs the author's analysis of Home girls' experiences.