2023/2024
Linguistic Anthropology
Type:
Mago-Lego
Delivered by:
School of Linguistics
When:
1, 2 module
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
6
Contact hours:
32
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course covers variation of linguistic structures in cross-cultural perspective. The course considers language as a cultural resource and behavior. It provides a general overview of the empirical and methodological studies of linguistic categorization (e.g. the study of color terms, kinship terms, cardinal and relative directions, noun categorization); social functions of proper names and ethnography of naming; linguistic taboos; genderlects; ethnography of speaking; functions and structural properties of ritual languages; properties of traditional texts and story-telling; popular etymology and rites based on it, use of language as magical means; function of language as basis of mythological beliefs and plots. The course surveys linguistic methods in anthropology: linguofolkloristics, ethnolinguistics etc. It introduces the students to the main methods of molecular anthropology in reconstructing the global history of human kind and local histories of language contact and shift. Some of the above aspects of the study of language are highly relevant for field research, on the theoretical level, to understand and document worldwide variation of linguistic functions and often, and on the practical level, to conduct linguistic research and carry out analysis of naturalistic discourse. It is not coincidental that the main provider of shareware software for field linguists, Summer Institute of Linguistics (www.sil.org) has recently included, in its range of products, a special utility to document kin systems and lineages.