ANT253 NOTES

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University of Toronto *

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253

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Linguistics

Date

Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by AgentCloverEel31

ANT253 NOTES – READINGS Week 1: Intro Reading One = Lippi-Green Language ideology or Science Fiction? What is language ideology, and how does it affect our understanding of language? Language ideology is the set of beliefs, attitudes, and values that shape our understanding of language and its role in society. It influences how we perceive different languages, dialects, and accents, and how we use language to construct social identities. Language ideology can also affect language policies and practices, such as language education, language rights, and language planning How do language attitudes and beliefs shape our interactions with others Language attitudes and beliefs can shape our interactions with others in many ways. For example, they can influence our perceptions of people's intelligence, education, social status, and cultural background based on their language use. They can also affect our willingness to communicate with others, our choice of words and expressions, and our interpretation of their messages. Language attitudes and beliefs can lead to linguistic discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes, which can have negative consequences for individuals and communities Can language be a tool for social change, and if so, how can we harness its power? Yes, language can be a powerful tool for social change. By changing the way we use language, we can challenge and transform social norms, values, and beliefs. For example, we can use language to promote inclusivity, diversity, and equality, to raise awareness of social issues, and to advocate for social justice. We can also use language to empower marginalized groups, to resist dominant ideologies, and to create new forms of identity and community. To harness the power of language for social change, we need to be aware of our own language attitudes and beliefs, to listen to and respect diverse voices and perspectives, and to use language strategically and creatively to achieve our goals This chapter discusses the relationship between language, ideology, and discrimination in the United States. It introduces the concept of language ideology as a set of beliefs, attitudes, and values that shape our understanding of language and its role in society. It also raises crucial questions about the relationship between language and social identity, the mutability of language, and language rights. The chapter emphasizes the importance of establishing common ground based on established facts about language structure and function before exploring these issues. Finally, the chapter highlights the potential of language as a tool for social change and the need to harness its power strategically and creatively.

The chapter introduces the concept of "language ideology" as a set of beliefs, attitudes, and values that shape our understanding of language and its role in society. It also discusses the concept of "language rights" as the rights of individuals to use their own language and to have access to education, employment, and other opportunities regardless of their language background. Additionally, the chapter raises questions about the "mutability" of language, which refers to the extent to which language can or should be changed to meet the needs of individuals or communities. Reading Two: Chapter One How does language shape our social interactions? Language is inherently social and is not just a means through which we act upon the social world; the use of language is itself a form of social action. 3 The language we use can index social relations, identities, or values, "pointing to" such important aspects of the sociocultural world and even creating, reinforcing, or challenging those very relations, identities, or values. 21 For example, the way we address someone (e.g. using formal or informal pronouns) can indicate our level of respect or familiarity with them, and the words we choose to use can reflect our cultural background, social status, or political views. Therefore, language can shape our social interactions by influencing how we perceive and interact with others, as well as how others perceive and interact with us. Can you provide more examples of socially embedded language practices? Certainly! Here are a few examples of how language can be socially embedded and culturally influenced: - Mimicking the voice of a character from a comedy show can indicate that the speaker is part of a cool, hip, in-group that watches the show. 21 - Labeling someone as an "enemy combatant," "freedom fighter," "terrorist," or "insurgent" can index the speaker's political views about the conflict in question and can have real effects in the social world. 21 - Code- switching or translanguaging between two or more languages, dialects, or social registers can index different processes involved in a person's ethnic, racial, gender, and/or socioeconomic identity formation and can have different social or even moral connotations, depending on the situation. 21 I hope these examples help illustrate how language is not a neutral medium for communication! How can we become more aware of the socially charged language we use in our daily lives? Becoming more aware of the socially charged language we use in our daily lives requires a conscious effort to reflect on our own language practices and the contexts in which we use them. 3 Here are a few strategies that can help: 1. Pay attention to the words and phrases you use in different situations and consider how they might be perceived by others. 2. Reflect on your own cultural background, social status, and political views, and how they might influence the language you use. 3. Listen actively to others and try to understand the social and cultural contexts that shape their language practices. 4. Read and learn about different cultures and perspectives to broaden your understanding of the

socially charged nature of language. 5. Engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds to gain a deeper appreciation for the ways in which language can shape social interactions. By being mindful of the socially charged nature of language and actively working to understand and appreciate different perspectives, we can become more aware of our own language practices and how they impact our interactions with others. Summary: The PDF discusses the socially embedded nature of language and the linguistically mediated nature of social life. It argues that language is not a neutral medium for communication but rather a set of socially embedded practices that shape our social interactions. To become more aware of the socially charged language we use in our daily lives, we need to reflect on our own language practices and the contexts in which we use them. Key terms: - Multifunctionality: the idea that language serves multiple functions beyond just conveying information, such as indexing social relations, identities, or values. – Language ideologies: the beliefs, attitudes, and values that people hold about language and its use, which can shape social interactions and power relations. – Practice: the idea that language is not just a set of abstract rules but rather a set of socially embedded practices that are shaped by and shape social interactions. - Indexicality: the idea that language is inherently context-dependent and that the meaning of words and phrases is shaped by the social and cultural contexts in which they are used. Key people: - Mikhail Bakhtin: a Russian philosopher and literary critic who argued that language is inherently social and that words have a socially charged life. – Alessandro Duranti: an Italian-American linguistic anthropologist who has written extensively on the social and cultural dimensions of language. – Michael Silverstein: an American linguistic anthropologist who has written extensively on language ideologies and indexicality. Week Two: Theories of Signs and Sign Relations Reading: Chandler What are some examples of signs that we encounter in our daily lives? According to 16 , some examples of sign-systems that we encounter in our daily lives include the deaf-and-dumb alphabet, social customs, etiquette, religious and other symbolic rites, legal procedures, military signals, and nautical flags. Additionally, 26 notes that language is a highly conventional sign, while iconic signs involve some degree of conventionality and indexical signs direct attention to their objects by blind compulsion. How do Saussure's and Peirce's models of the sign differ from each other? As noted in 17 , the most obvious difference between Saussure's and Peirce's models of the sign is that Saussure's model is dyadic, while Peirce's model is triadic. In Saussure's model, the sign

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