Chapter 3. North-South relations in linguistic science
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Colette Grinevald
Abstract
In this chapter, we attempt to unmask the ideological bias inherent in influential conceptions of the methods, motivations and practices of endangered language documentation research (ELDR). We highlight the extent to which common justifications for ELDR suppress the sociocultural and historical relations within which its practices are situated. We review the historical evolution of language documentation research, and its relationship to language preservation and revitalization. We ask what it is that makes ELDR scientific, critically analysing the models of “language” and of “science” that are frequently deployed in arguments for its importance, and question the value-neutrality of the notion “scientific community” in this context. We suggest that the conjunction of dominant concepts of “language” and “data” generates an ideological construction of unequal competence that operates to justify unequal North-South exchange relations. We document this claim of unequal and at times abusive North-South exchange with brief, anonymized case studies. We conclude by noting that, in comparison with other social science disciplines, linguistics seems resistant to reflexive and self-critical analysis of its ideological dimension; and suggesting possible ways of raising awareness and generalizing models of good practice.
Abstract
In this chapter, we attempt to unmask the ideological bias inherent in influential conceptions of the methods, motivations and practices of endangered language documentation research (ELDR). We highlight the extent to which common justifications for ELDR suppress the sociocultural and historical relations within which its practices are situated. We review the historical evolution of language documentation research, and its relationship to language preservation and revitalization. We ask what it is that makes ELDR scientific, critically analysing the models of “language” and of “science” that are frequently deployed in arguments for its importance, and question the value-neutrality of the notion “scientific community” in this context. We suggest that the conjunction of dominant concepts of “language” and “data” generates an ideological construction of unequal competence that operates to justify unequal North-South exchange relations. We document this claim of unequal and at times abusive North-South exchange with brief, anonymized case studies. We conclude by noting that, in comparison with other social science disciplines, linguistics seems resistant to reflexive and self-critical analysis of its ideological dimension; and suggesting possible ways of raising awareness and generalizing models of good practice.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Introduction. Language, culture and identity 1
- Chapter 1. Philosophy and philosophical practice 7
- Chapter 2. Translation and transnationality in the Himalaya 23
- Chapter 3. North-South relations in linguistic science 43
- Chapter 4. My journey as an indigenous Xinguan teacher and researcher 63
- Chapter 5. The representation-cohesion-stance hypothesis 75
- Chapter 6. A framing-based account of critical cultural awareness 111
- Chapter 7. Cultural “Signs of life” in politics 141
- Chapter 8. Construing the self in discourse 157
- Chapter 9. Embodiment, personification, identity 181
- Chapter 10. Mid hefigum byrþenum 203
- Chapter 11. Cultural and cognitive aspects of narrative 227
- Chapter 12. How can I persuade you without making self-assertions? 249
- Chapter 13. “Keeping up with the times” 275
- Chapter 14. A study of Chinese non-basic color terms from the perspective of cognitive semantics 295
- Index 317
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Introduction. Language, culture and identity 1
- Chapter 1. Philosophy and philosophical practice 7
- Chapter 2. Translation and transnationality in the Himalaya 23
- Chapter 3. North-South relations in linguistic science 43
- Chapter 4. My journey as an indigenous Xinguan teacher and researcher 63
- Chapter 5. The representation-cohesion-stance hypothesis 75
- Chapter 6. A framing-based account of critical cultural awareness 111
- Chapter 7. Cultural “Signs of life” in politics 141
- Chapter 8. Construing the self in discourse 157
- Chapter 9. Embodiment, personification, identity 181
- Chapter 10. Mid hefigum byrþenum 203
- Chapter 11. Cultural and cognitive aspects of narrative 227
- Chapter 12. How can I persuade you without making self-assertions? 249
- Chapter 13. “Keeping up with the times” 275
- Chapter 14. A study of Chinese non-basic color terms from the perspective of cognitive semantics 295
- Index 317
