Language and Classification (Lecture 9) Flashcards
What’s the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?
theory that language determines/influences thought
What’s are two versions of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?
strong-weak
semantic-syntactic (meaning of words - influence of grammar on language)
Why is the evidence for/against the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis complex?
- can’t* separate language from thought
- need linguistic expertise and intellectual ingenuity
Why is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis an example of a general anthropological approach?
Yes
What are two consequences of imposing classification on the world?
Limits our thinking
Empowers us with order
How did William James describe the inner world of infants in Principles of Psychology?
a great blooming, buzzing confusion
do different cultures classify colour differently?
yes
based on the number of basic colour words a language has, you can predict the…
colours the language classifies
What’s kinship?
a social elaboration of biological facts
What is a human universal in relation to kinship?
categorising people into kin and non-kin
What does Anthropology tell us about kinship?
- we can’t assume that our understanding of kinship is shared by people in other societies
- varies across cultures
- is cultural. not biological (e.g. people you eat food with)
Why is kinship important in many societies?
determines/influences who you: work with can joke with respect live with are obligated to/by
Give the 2 meanings of incest Prohibitions:
Prohibitions on:
intermarriage between people who are close relatives
sexual activity between people who are close relatives
Is incest prohibition are human universal?
yes
Is First cousin marriage allowed in by NZ civil law?
yes
