Lecture 8 Flashcards
(16 cards)
Empirical observation
Observe data to confirm hypothesis/ find evidence for our theories
Prescriptive approach
A “manual” on how to speak or write correctly
Ex. How the language SHOULD be used
Descriptive approach
Referencing how the language is ACTUALLY being used, without making judgements about whether or not it’s right or wrong
Does objective mean neutral impact?
No
When ur in the field where language is actually being spoken. Instead of an office. Ur research involves as much personal and social effort as it does linguistic “brain work”
Who did foundational language work in terms of colonialism
What did they think about indigenous language
Missionaries
The thought they didn’t impose and grammatical discipline on their languages
On one hand (written materials have helped reawaken sleeping languages)
On the other (documents were immaculate and could lead to loss of features)
Harm in modern scientific practices
-lack of reciprocity
-lack of access
- lack of respect of protocol
- risk of cultural appropriation
Lack of reciprocity
There is NO language research or language work without speakers
Lack of access
The data is only accessible in scholarly publications or conference proceedings
Lack of respect protocol
If a scientist sees language as “just data” they might publish private information, sensitive information, or a scared story bag is not meant to be shared publicly
Risk of cultural appropriation
Even when a linguist works very hard to be descriptive. There is a risk of cultural appropriation if they become the so called authority on the language without being a member of the language
Community based researcher
First principle
Research involves collaboration between researcher and community
Community based research 2nd principle
Democratization of knowledge
All forms of knowledge are valued
All holder of knowledge are valued
CBR 3rd principle
Goals for social change
-often this is implicit
- working towards community self-sufficiency in research
- prestige of community cultural, spiritual, and linguistic knowledge
-new structures and organizations to bridge community and institutions
Community based research 3rd principle
Research is a PRACTICAL act
- multiple outputs of research/knowledge sharing and creation
Ex. Producing knowledge useful to communities for language education and revitalization and reclamation
Indigenous methodology
Indigenous research methodology takes into account many principles of collaborative work as well as being anchored in indigenous ethics
Indigenous ethics
-beyond protection of human subjects
- protection of cultural practices. Ceremonies. Language. And relationship to knowledge
- principle of accountability and self reflection
