Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Post #2: Anthropology and Anthropologists Online
The Society for Applied Anthropology in Manitoba (or SAAM) is an organization that facilitates public sharing of information and experiences by academics and other practioners, who are "dedicated to applying anthropological knowledge in provincial, national and international contexts" (http://www.saaminc.org). This is done through an applied anthropology approach with the aim of identifying and proposing solutions to economic, ecological and "varied social problems that shape the contemporary scene" (November 2005). At a glance, after browsing through some of the past issues of SAAM's newsletter it is evident that the society is really dedicated to their motto "anthropology in practice". Some of the issues studied by SAAM's anthropologists I found rather interesting, such as the effect of environmental change on off-road trasporation and its impact on the lives of residents of Churchill, Manitoba (Summer 2008). In another issue, the problem of language shift (when two languages interact with each other but one ultimately becomes more valued) in Aboriginal communities is raised (February 2006). Language shift could lead to language death and I think that when people forget their mother's language they lose an integral part of their culture. Unfortunately, such are the risks of increasing globalization.
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I agree that culture is a part of culture, if only even to be able to converse with others of the same ethnicity. Also though, a universal language spoken by everyone around the world is important for international relations and unity. I think it will be interesting to find a balance for both.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct in the sense that language shift may result in language death. It is personally happening to me where my parents speak our ethnic language and where as I only understand but don't speak it. I can see that later on in life the language will be lost forever in my line of kin and english will be the only language that's spoken. As Renuka said above, it would indeed be nice to find a balance for both if it was possible.
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