Introduction
Having explored the genres commonly used in the academia of linguistic anthropology
and language studies, I found a common thread in many of the articles that connected the
origin, transference, and utilization of knowledge about language throughout the study. Each
seeks to discuss their argument in a fashion that pertains to and is easily understood from the
perspective of modern society. The origin of language and transference of language are
absolutely key to understanding linguistic anthropology as it forms the foundation for acquiring
and translating further relevant information in the field (Robson). Finally, how modern society
utilizes language helps to enable individuals to communicate in a more effective fashion
(Gershon and Malitsky).
Origin of Language
Human communication and language evolved for a number of reasons to aid in our
survival as a species. Researchers suggest that humans formed patterns of speech to assist in
the acquisition of resources such as food and shelter (Clark; Robson). For example Brady Clark,
author of . "Scavenging, the stag hunt, and the evolution of language" claims language was
used to “recruit individuals to help in the scavenging of carcasses of megafauna” (448). Simply
put, big animals required many individuals to properly utilize the resources the remains offered.
He explains that it is “one among many conjectures in the language evolution literature about
the environmental circumstances and selective pressures that favored the emergence of the
human capacity for language” meaning his theory is just one of many that linguistic
anthropologists have created (448).
David Robson tends to look more at the proximity and movement of our ancestors for
the creation and need for language rather than how a language itself helped the early human
species survive. Robson also looks at the evolution of language on a much broader scale than
Clark. He insists that instead of language being a means to coexist and that its use is a point of
unity for humanity, Robson sees it as a dividing line in the sand that places us in “packs” he
supports his idea by saying that “Even the world’s most commonly used languages are only
spoken by a minority of people”. Robson supports Clark in some key ways however. Both Clark
and Robson agree that a variety of selective pressures created the need for different patterns
of speech to explain the world around early humans to each other. The works of these scholars
help to give us a window into the inherent human need for language.
Transference of Language
The method of language transference between humans is an aspect of linguistic
anthropology that is a hotly studied topic that helps form the basis of the academia. Experts
propose that language transference harkens back to its origins as you learn different languages
faster if it increases your chances of subsistence in that location (Baines; Feng; Farquhar and
Fitzsimons). Anwei Feng’s article “Spread of English across Greater China” explores this theory
at a micro analytical level, which is if you consider a population of 1 billion to be a micro
linguistic study. Language transference in the modern day has become less about acquiring
basic resources; instead it has transformed into a battle for societal and cultural survival. In
China, English has become a popular language to learn because of its common usage
throughout the world so much so that their “society in general perceive the importance of the
language and school children and/or adults engage themselves enthusiastically in learning it”.
Lawrence Baines author of "A Future of Fewer Words?: Five Trends Shaping the Future
of Language" supports this claim by discussing the idea that an increasingly globalized world is
gradually causing languages to go extinct. Baines explains that a more connected world that
idolizes pictures above words, read less, and use easy to access, computer based translators are
killing languages stating that “Not only is the world using fewer languages on a daily basis, but it
is also using fewer words”.
Sandy Farquhar and Peter Fitzsimons expound upon the idea that translators and a
world where translations are required is shifting the face of language transference. They discuss
the complicated process and cultural misinterpreting that can happen when translating from
one language to another commenting that “Without a common language, there is no way of
knowing whether two parties really understand each other or whether they are in fact talking
about the same things, even when they use the same words.” It’s clear that language
transference and translation is a complicated process that is an important area of study for
linguistic anthropologists.
Utilization and Complexion of Language Learning and Linguistic Anthropology
The use and application of language is a far more complicated and multifaceted issue
that linguistic anthropologists attempt to explore. Beyond simply being more multilayered,
verbal application of speech requires much more comprehensive research on very specific
topics. Researchers agree to varying degrees that the future of language is a constantly
morphing vision and that modern society has multiple issues that can be resolved by the studies
created by language specialists (Aydin; Hien; Gershon and Malitsky; Lehtonen and Karjalainen;
Wortham).
Ilana Gershon and Joshua Malitsky are possibly the most prolific writers that are a part
of my collection of articles. They seek to employ linguistic anthropology on a much broader
scale for research beyond their own area of study. Gershon and Malitsky state “Linguistic
anthropologists have focused on verbal discourse to explore when and how people understand
signs to refer, developing analytical concepts that we suggest can be usefully applied to
documentaries as semiotic, visual, and aural systems” which means that the communication
intrinsic to linguistic anthropology can be applied to very graphical documentary studies.
Selami Aydin for example explores the consequences and anxiety that internet users
feel when learning a second language. They extrapolate on the idea that little previous study
has been done on the issue, saying that “Little attention has been paid to the demotivating
potential of new technologies in foreign language research.” Wortham in his article “Beyond
Macro and Micro in the Linguistic Anthropology of Education” supports Aydin’s assertions
about how language plays a huge role in education and can be detrimental or a great benefit in
academia. He explores his ideas by expounding on the need to practice both micro and macro
practices in educational discourse.
Tuula Lehtonen and Sinikka Karjalainen on the other hand explore the effects of how
educational discourse connects with speech used in the workplace. They reveal that often the
language used in one is often not found in the other and that “…Because of these insufficient
skills, the graduates are unable to find work in their own field”. At its core they mean that
without the ability to communicate in the workplace and without proper training in doing so
the transition from college to job can be an impossible barrier. In a similar vein to language in
the workplace Hien discusses the discourse commonly found within advertisements. He states
that “It is the linguistic power created in advertisements makes them an important part in our
social life” meaning that the advertisements that are so prevalent in modern day life must have
specifically geared language to their audience. The sometimes exploitative nature of advertising
language and imagery is a common problem faced in today’s society.
Conclusion
My chosen sources covered the dawn of language with the emergence of anatomically
modern humans, how language is transferred between different people and the connotation
behind words themselves, and how linguistic anthropology can be applied to everyday life
specifically to business and education. The gap in the field of linguistic anthropology lies not in
the idea that it is an slowly dying academia but in that it has to shift its focus from the ancient
to the modern. This is because to truly understand the effects of a language you must
understand the entirety of the language, including its slang, and the culture connotation behind
each word. Each language would require years of study and at the rate they are disappearing,
many investigations can quickly become worthless ventures. I would like to instead study the
interactions of modern day politics. Specifically, I would like to explore the linguistic
relationship of inter-political translations and speech connections with the media. Simply put,
how does the context of politics change between politicians themselves and the media (i.e.
Cable news networks, newspapers, blogs).