This document discusses the field of linguistic anthropology, which examines the relationship between language and culture. It specifically focuses on how language is used and integrated into various cultures around the world. The key topics covered include speech communities, the performing of language through conversation and gestures, language socialization, and the role of power in language. Speech communities are defined as groups that use language to regularly interact and are distinguished from other groups by differences in language usage. Conversation and gestures are important aspects of language performance that vary across cultures. Language socialization looks at how language and culture are acquired over time through social interaction. Finally, language plays a role in constructing power differences between speakers based on cultural ideologies around language.

1. Anindya Nurul Kusuma Dewi

2. A. INTRODUCTION
Linguistic is the science of language. It deals with the
study of human language (Bauer, 2007: 11).
According to Hannerz, “Anthropology is the science of
humanity which studies human being in aspects of
society and culture.”
Thus, Linguistic Anthropology is the study of how
language is used in everyday life and how it is integrated
into the various cultures around the world (Rowe, 2006:
211).

3. The aim of this study is to understand why the
people of a culture do a particular thing (Rowe,
2006: 211). Based on the Sapir – Whorf Hypothesis
(in Rowe, 2006: 211), they proposed that “People of
different cultures think and behave differently
because the languages that they speak require them
to do so.” In other words, the way individuals view
the world around them is affected by the language
they use to interpret their world.

4. B. Anthropological Linguistics
Since only humans speak, anthropologists are keenly
interested in language use, structure, and change,
and the relations among language, society, and
culture.
The study included speech communities, the
performing of language, language socialization and
power in language.

5. 1. Speech Communities
Gumperz (1968: 66) said that this universe is the
speech community:
“any human association characterized by regular and
frequent interaction by means of a shared body of verbal
signs and set off from similar association by significant
differences in language usage.”
The concept speech community initially focused
on language system, relationships, and boundaries, it
expanded to include the notion of social representation
and norms in the form of attitudes, values, beliefs, and
practices (Morgan, 2004: 8).

6. 2. The Performing of Language
The performing of language can be separated to:
 Conversation as a Culture
 Gesture

7. Conversation as a Culture
Goffman’s studies of the orderliness of
interaction (in Duranti, 2004: 170), based on his own
observations, revealed important ways we could look
at how people actively collaborate in the everyday
presentation and interpretation of selves and
activities, and how interpretations are mediated
through conventions learned over multiple, prior
contexts and experiences.

8. HOW TO SPEAK TO YOUR ELDERS
America
 You always refer to your elders as Mam, or Sir.
 You must be respectful. It is polite to assist them with
their tasks.
 Be respectful at all times, when riding in the car it is
polite to let the elder sit in the front seat.
 Asking marital status is considered rude.

9. Japan
 In Japan respect for your elders is a huge concept. You may
bow to themwhen saying hello or goodbye.
 When addressing your authority members you would use a
word in Japanese that means thank you for working for us.
 While talking to your mom, you would say mother instead
of mama. If your speaking to an elder you might say their
name with san at the end as a sign of respect.
 Often times in high school or middle school, students will
refer to older students as ‘senpai’, which is a sign of respect.
 If you don’t call them by their titles, it could be considered
inappropriate.

10. Philippines
 The first sign of respect to your elders in Philippines is
when you meet them, and this is a sign of putting their
hand on your forehead.
 A word of respect in the language would be po, it is
used in a lot of settings.
 When your elders ask you to do something it is called
“Utos” and if you refuse it is very shameful.
 Openly criticizing people would be considered rude.

11. GESTURE
People routinely gesture in interaction, and we
commonly assume their gestures are meaningful. These
range from gesture and “body language” to the use of
interpersonal space, the employment of signs and
symbols and the use of time structures (Beeman, 2012:
545).

12. America
 It is acceptable to use the “OK” hand gesture, the “Thumbs
Up” hand gesture.
 to motion to someone to “come here” by curling your finger
at them.
 These are not considered rude in America to prolong eye
contact when showing you are listening to someone, and a
sign of confidence when you stand with your hands on your
hips in public.
 It will be rude if pick your nose in public.
 The middle finger to someone’s face is widely known as an
aggressive gesture but it is mostly used in America to signal
the “F” word.

13. Asia
 Nose picking is very ugly to watch in Western
Countries, though in Asia, especially China, it is
perfectly acceptable to pick your nose in public.
 Prolonged eye contact is considered rude mostly
everywhere in Asia.

14. GREETINGS
America
 When two people meet each other, it’s a necessity to
shake hands with the other person. Only hand to hand
when meeting a stranger.
 Between two friends, most people will either “high
five,” “fist bump,” or hug the other person they are
meeting.

15. Europe
In most of Europe, when meeting someone, you meet
them with a kiss to the cheek. Except in England, where
touching is not positively looked at. Usually a hand shake
or a nod is exchanged.
Asia
In Asia, instead of shaking hands, most people either
exchange a kiss to the cheek.

16. SAME GENDER GESTURES
America
In America, it is considered homosexual when two of the
same sex’s hold hands in public and it makes many
people uncomfortable.
South America
It is dangerous to hold hands with same gender because
homosexuality is extremely looked down on.
Asia
It is acceptable for two of the same sex’s to hold hands in
public without people coming to the conclusion that
they are homosexual.

17. 3. Language Socialization
Elinor Ochs and Bambi B.Schieffelin (in Duranti,
2001: 8903) defined language socialization “as the
process of getting socialized through language and the
process of getting socialized to language.”
The studies should fulfill three criteria:
 ethnographic in design,
 longitudinal in perspective, and
 demonstrate the acquisition (or not) of particular
linguistic and cultural practices over time and across
contexts (Kulick and Schieffelin, 2004: 350).

18. 4. Power in Language
Language plays a crucial role in mediating differences in
power between speakers.
There are five levels of language ideologies:
(1) Group or individual interests,
(2) Multiplicity of ideologies,
(3) Awareness of speakers,
(4) Mediating functions of ideologies, and
(5) Role of language ideology in identity construction.

19. Closing
Linguistic anthropology is examines language
through the lenses of anthropological concerns. The
concerns include the transmission and reproduction of
culture, the relationship between cultural systems and
different forms of social organization, and the role of the
material conditions of existence in a people’s
understanding of the world (Duranti, 1997: 4).
So, the relationship between the environment, the
culture, and the language of a people is self-reinforcing
(Rowe, 2006: 212).