2.4 - 2.7 Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is linguistic anthropology?
The study of human speech and language
What are the three areas of linguistic anthropology?
Historical Linguistics - The study of history and development of languages
Structural Linguistics - The study of the structure of language
Sociolinguistics - The study of language in relation to social factors
What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
His hypothesis was that language influences thought
Strong - Language determines thought
Weak - Language influences thought
Who were Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf
Theorized that there was a relationship between language and culture.
They were both linguistic anthropologists who studies indigenous languages, they believed a language is a symbolic guide to culture.
What are linguistic anthropologists interested in?
- How does language shape culture?
- Does language provide information about the beliefs and practices of a culture?
- Pattern changes of languages over time - think of how languages change through time.
- Evolution of language.
Who is Noah Chomsky?
Known as the father of modern linguistics, in particular, structural linguistics. He believed that all children are born with internal, universal rules for grammar, and can apply them all to their 1st language.
What is body language?
Suggests that we can express many emotions and convey meaning through body language
Who is the Unabomber?
An American terrorist who had sent bombs around the united states in the mail for a span of 17 years. He was caught through the way his manifesto was written.
Who is Fitzgerald?
He used his knowledge of linguistics to help create an accurate profile to identify and capture Ted Kaczynski
What is forensic linguistics?
The use of linguistics in case study, typically used to create an accurate profile when identifying criminals
What is the difference between Sapir and Whorf?
Sapir was interested in how language and culture influence each other.
Whorf wanted to further explore how different languages might shape through behavior
What is primatology?
The study of anatomy and behaviors of living primates
Primatologists are not always anthropologists
How do we study primates?
We observe primates in both their natural habitat and in facilities
Since primates are mammals what does that mean?
- Fur/hair
- Warm-blooded
- Live birth
- Nurse their young
- Dependence on adults
- Play
How do primates learn?
They learn through play - social and survival skills are developed this way
What is displaced reference?
The ability to communicate about information that’s remote from the site of the communicative transaction
Who was Koko?
A gorilla with the largest English and sign language vocab
Koko had a kitten named ‘All Ball’ that she treated as one of her own
Who are, Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas?
They observed primates in the field, and were influenced by Louis Leakey.
Goodall - Chimps
Fossey - Gorillas
Galdikas - Orangutans
They were also known as the Leakey’s Angels because they studied under anthropologist Louis Leakey
What does arboreal mean?
It means they are designed for the forests
What are the advantages of specialized teeth?
- Efficient break down of food
- Aids with digestion
- Omnivorous
- Increased variety
Additional Notes;
- Incisors, canines, molars, premolars
- Help with separating the food into smaller pieces
What are the advantages of opposable thumbs?
- Hold and manipulate objects
- Firm grip
- More precise movements
Additional Notes;
- A thumb place opposite the fingers of the same hand
- Approx. 2 million years ago when evolution began
What are the advantages of social grooming?
- Induces an interaction with their peers
- Safety and security
- Method of stress relief and solution for boredom
- When conflict arises social grooming is a simple and effective way of resolving the issue
Additional Notes;
- Social Grooming is the process in which non-human primates clean/groom their peers by removing debris from their fur.
- Humans participate subconsciously on peers with different intentions (Hairdresser, nail salons, etc…)
What are the advantages of a clavicle?
- Keeps arms out to the side, allowing for rotation
- Balance mobility and strength
- Provides protection to many muscles
Additional Notes;
- Collar bone, connects your arms to your body
- Helps them with swinging from trees
- Animals without clavicles; sheep, cows, pigs
What are the advantages of 1 upper bone and 2 lower bones?
- Mobility and dexterity
- Provides strength and support within ligaments
- Bipedal creatures
- Energy and efficiency
- Range of motion
Additional Notes;
- Suited to arboreal living
- In the jungle / forest
- Femur, tibia, fibula, humeris, ulna and radius
