2018
DOI: 10.1075/pbns.294.09sen
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Pragmatics and anthropology

Abstract: Bronislaw Malinowski -based on his experience during his field research on the Trobriand Islands -pointed out that language is first and foremost a tool for creating social bonds. It is a mode of behavior and the meaning of an utterance is constituted by its pragmatic function. Malinowski's ideas finally led to the formation of the subdiscipline "anthropological linguistics". This paper presents three observations of the Trobrianders' attitude to their language Kilivila and their language use in social interac… Show more

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Cited by 5 publications
(2 citation statements)
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“…Clear distinctions, therefore, appear to be more a matter of cultural constructs than of any hard cognitive boundaries. Different cultures slice up the communicative spectrum in different ways, utilizing pragmatically and normatively the vocal and gestural channels to serve different purposes (Cross, 2015; Everett, 2012; Lewis, 2014; Seeger, 1987; Senft, 2018). Lewis (2009), for example, describes several interactive categories defined by the Mbendjele, which incorporate musical elements to different degrees: from the hushed, secretive and monotonic “ ya miso minai ” (speech of four eyes), through the louder, more song-like women's talk ( besime ya baito ), to gano , a form of storytelling which involves spoken narrative, song and rhythmic entrainment, and massana , a full-blown communal song and dance.…”
Section: Music As An Interactive Technologymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Clear distinctions, therefore, appear to be more a matter of cultural constructs than of any hard cognitive boundaries. Different cultures slice up the communicative spectrum in different ways, utilizing pragmatically and normatively the vocal and gestural channels to serve different purposes (Cross, 2015; Everett, 2012; Lewis, 2014; Seeger, 1987; Senft, 2018). Lewis (2009), for example, describes several interactive categories defined by the Mbendjele, which incorporate musical elements to different degrees: from the hushed, secretive and monotonic “ ya miso minai ” (speech of four eyes), through the louder, more song-like women's talk ( besime ya baito ), to gano , a form of storytelling which involves spoken narrative, song and rhythmic entrainment, and massana , a full-blown communal song and dance.…”
Section: Music As An Interactive Technologymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…My insights in the utmost importance of understanding the Trobrianders' metalinguistic concepts as being compulsory for the pragmatically adequate use and understanding Kilivila were actually based on the severest mistake I made in the course of my field research on the Trobriands -namely on my breaking of the Trobrianders' most important taboo during a wedding ceremony I observed in 1983 -and on my attempts to reconcile myself with the person I had insulted in this way afterwards (see also Senft: 2017a;2018).…”
Section: Other Genresmentioning
confidence: 99%