New Paths in the Linguistic Anthropology of Oceania
Date
2009
Authors
Tomlinson, Matthew
Makihara, Miki
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Annual Reviews Inc.
Abstract
The linguistic anthropology of Oceania has seen vigorous and productive analysis of language ideologies, ritual performance, personhood, and agency. This article points to three related paths of inquiry that are especially promising. First, language ideologies are analyzed for the ways they shape expectations and interpretations of effective action and social identity. Second, processes of entextualization are examined with reference to Bible translation because Christianity is a dominant social force in contemporary Oceania. Third, prominent recent work on per-sonhood and agency is reviewed, and scholars are urged to reconsider the classic Oceanic term mana in relation to changing understandings of power, including those wrought by religious transformations. These paths of inquiry are intertwined and cross-cutting and can lead to productive new understandings of ideologies and practices of stability and transformation.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: anthropology; Christianity; cultural identity; ideology; language; standard (reference); Melanesia; Micronesia; Pacific islands; Pacific Ocean; Polynesia Agency; Entextualization; Language ideologies; Mana; Personhood
Citation
Collections
Source
Annual Review of Anthropology
Type
Journal article