Language Blog Week 3

Language Blog

Part One:

1. My conversation partner’s first language is French.  He was born in Montreal, Canada.  He has actively been speaking English for about three years. He studied English in school, so he was proficient in writing and reading English. However, he learned to speak English by immersing himself in American culture.  The first part of the experiment went fairly easy.  He seemed to understand what I was communicating.  The communication was slow and laborious with many stops and starts. Words that asked, how or what were difficult to convey with gestures.  

2. As the conversation was proceeding with my partner, I noticed that he was talking a little louder and his side of the conversation was being conveyed in a simple manner. I felt he was talking to me as if I was a child. My side of the conversation was necessarily simple. We have spoken together in conversation many times and he never simplified his conversation before.

3.  The culture that used spoken language definitely has the advantage.  Voice inflection can convey a great deal in communicating. Gestures are limited in conveying emotion and questions.  Communicating complex ideas are very difficult using only gestures. I found it almost impossible in our experiment.   The culture that could use spoken language might have an attitude that the person, who cannot speak, is ignorant. The culture using the spoken language might convey frustration and impatience towards the non speaking person.   My friend is learning signing or ASL. She has attended many gatherings with deaf people.  She has learned that deaf people often are treated as if they are ignorant. Or they can be ignored because communicating with them is often difficult. Many people who are able to speak feel frustrated and impatient in communicating with the deaf.  My husband is partially deaf and he sometimes cannot follow a conversation in a crowd of people.  He will excuse himself instead of participating, because he is aware of the frustration people have when he cannot hear them properly.  Some people will refuse to take the time involved for communication with a non-speaking person, or treat the nonspeaking person as if they are stupid.

Part2

I had a very difficult time lasting the full fifteen minutes using speech with no gestures or inflections in my voice. I had to start the clock over many times because I messed up and used a gesture or inflection in my voice.  I naturally use inflection when I speak, it was unnatural and required a great deal of concentration to prevent myself from using facial expressions or gestures.

My partner had a difficult time following my conversation.  He stated that he did not know at times, when I was asking a question or making a statement. He could not understand if I was conveying humor or not.

This experiment proved to me that the non-spoken area of communication is more important than the spoken portion of communication.  I learned that most effective communication between people happen with our body language and facial expressions.  I believe that people with autism have a difficult time in reading body language correctly and also blind people would have a difficult time reading body language.  It would be beneficial not to be able to read body language in a culture that was a dictatorship and displaying facial gestures could cause harm to yourself or your family. In this culture honest communication would have to be hidden.

Enviromental Adaptations:

Evironmental Adaptations: Blog Post

The Zulus live in a subtropical region of lush valleys, between the mountains and the humid, subtropical coastline is savannah grassland, but there are also areas of indigenous forest along the coast. It is a summer rainfall area, with a climate that ranges from extremely hot along the coast in summer, to heavy snow on the mountains in winter. The Midlands are drier than the coast and can be very cold in winter. The average temperature in December is 91 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Zulu people are dark-skinned. There have been several theories as to why the Zulus have the physical characteristic of being dark skinned. The most current theory is that dark skin protects foliate in blood vessels from uv radiation. Foliate has a direct impact on both male and female fertility rates, This physical adaptation has evolved over a long period of time. People who live in high temperature regions have adapted their skin color to avoid uv stressors. The theories of why this has occurred vary from protection against the toxicity of too much vitamin D to protecting the skin from cancer.

One culture adaption I have found to be interesting is the Reed Dance. The Reed Dance is an old Zulu tradition to affirm the virginity in young girls. Human rights and current ideologies made the testing of virginity in girls almost disappear; however with the onslaught of the aids virus in the Zulu Population, the leaders brought back the tradition of testing virginity in girls. Young girls who protect their virginity cannot spread aids. So the result of establishing the virginity testing as a celebration of an old tradition and helping to stop the spread of aids had been reestablished and celebrated by the reed dance .This cultural adaptation has been brought back because of the cultural stressor of aids.

Andean Indians

The Andean Indian’s climate is cold at night the year around. While during the winter the snow is deep in the high mountains. The weather is mostly dry and quite cold all year round due to its geographical location in the interior of the country, and its high altitude, ranging from 3,827ft. Up to 6,000 ft., in some parts of the mountains. The average temperature is around 8ºC, with a maximum of 15º and a minimum of 1º in winter. One of the traditions of the Andean Indians is the chewing of the coca leaves. The chewing of the leaves act as a pick me up( much like our tradition of drinking coffee in the morning) The coca leaves are used in many of the religious ceremonies, such as naming ceremonies etc. The coca leaves are used to foretell the future by the shamans and also to confer status and wealth. There are some people, due to ethnocentrism, who wish to eradicate the time-honored tradition of the chewing of the leaves. Many of these groups mistake the use of the coca leaves for cocaine abuse. The eradication of this tradition would be like taking away the heart of the Andean Indians.

Physical Adaptation

One area of focus for study has been finding and understanding the cause of lung capacity differences, and physiological differences between Andean highlanders and lowlanders. Multiple researches have indicated that there are physical differences in the size and volume of lungs in Andean highlanders when compared to the people who live in the low lands.   The basis behind these differences was thought to be genetic adaptations from living in high altitudes. One set of research indicates that these differences may occur simply from living with  the stress of hypobaric apraxia, however, other research strongly supports that growing up in these conditions (high altitude) during specific developmental phases in life may be the cause of the physical adaptations.  Studies using genetic markers (skin reflectors) have demonstrated a genetic component to lung size and capacity. Males have been shown to have larger lungs and more lung capacity in comparison to females. Also, darker skinned highlanders had greater lung capacity then lighter skinned individuals.  This physiological adaptation seems to occur as a mixed result of growing up as a highlander in high altitude and a genetic predisposition to have larger lungs and more air capacity.  

 I would choose the African race for the Zulu population because of the similarities of the skin color. I would choose the Native American race for the Andean Indians because of traditions, I believe that adaptations would be a more valid way to categorize a population. Race has been proven to be not valid in scientific theory.

Citation

Greksa, Lawrence. "Evidence for a Genetic Basis to the Enhanced Total Lung Capacity of Andean Highlanders."Human Biology, 68.1 (1996): 119-129.www.squidoo.com › Holidays & Celebrations › Other Holidays

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Environmental Adaptations: Blog Post

The Zulus live in a subtropical region of lush valleys, between the mountains and the humid, subtropical coastline is savannah grassland, but there are also areas of indigenous forest along the coast. It is a summer rainfall area, with a climate that ranges from extremely hot along the coast in summer, to heavy snow on the mountains in winter. The Midlands are drier than the coast and can be very cold in winter. The average temperature in December is 91 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Zulu people are dark-skinned. There have been several theories as to why the Zulus have the physical characteristic of being dark skinned. The most current theory is that dark skin protects foliate in blood vessels from uv radiation. Foliate has a direct impact on both male and female fertility rates; this physical adaptation has evolved over a long period of time. People who live in high temperature regions have adapted their skin color to avoid uv stressors. The theories of why this has occurred vary from protection against the toxicity of too much vitamin D to protecting the skin from cancer.

One culture adaption I have found to be interesting is the Reed Dance. The Reed Dance is an old Zulu tradition to affirm the virginity in young girls. Human rights and current ideologies made the testing of virginity in girls almost disappear; however with the onslaught of the aids virus in the Zulu Population, the leaders brought back the tradition of testing virginity in girls. Young girls who protect their virginity cannot spread aids. So the result of establishing the virginity testing as a celebration of an old tradition and helping to stop the spread of aids had been reestablished and celebrated by the reed dance .This cultural adaptation has been brought back because of the cultural stressor of aids.

The Andean Indians

The Andean Indian’s climate is cold at night the year around. While during the winter the snow is deep in the high mountains. The weather is mostly dry and quite cold all year round due to its geographical location in the interior of the country, and its high altitude, ranging from 3,827ft. Up to 6,000 ft., in some parts of the mountains. The average temperature is around 8ºC, with a maximum of 15º and a minimum of 1º in winter. One of the traditions of the Andean Indians is the chewing of the coca leaves. The chewing of the leaves act as a pick me up( much like our tradition of drinking coffee in the morning) The coca leaves are used in many of the religious ceremonies, such as naming ceremonies etc. The coca leaves are used to foretell the future by the shamans and also to confer status and wealth. There are some people, due to ethnocentrism, who wish to eradicate the time-honored tradition of the chewing of the leaves. Many of these groups mistake the use of the coca leaves for cocaine abuse. The eradication of this tradition would be like taking away the heart of the Andean Indians.

Physical Adaptation

One area of focus for study has been finding and understanding the cause of lung capacity differences, and physiological differences between Andean highlanders and lowlanders. Multiple researches have indicated that there are physical differences in the size and volume of lungs in Andean highlanders when compared to the people who live in the low lands.   The basis behind these differences was thought to be genetic adaptations from living in high altitudes. One set of research indicates that these differences may occur simply from living with  the stress of hypobaric apraxia, however, other research strongly supports that growing up in these conditions (high altitude) during specific developmental phases in life may be the cause of the physical adaptations.  Studies using genetic markers (skin reflectors) have demonstrated a genetic component to lung size and capacity. Males have been shown to have larger lungs and more lung capacity in comparison to females. Also, darker skinned highlanders had greater lung capacity then lighter skinned individuals.  This physiological adaptation seems to occur as a mixed result of growing up as a highlander in high altitude and a genetic predisposition to have larger lungs and more air capacity.  

 I would compare the Zulu populations with the African Race and the Andean culture with the Native American race.  I think that the approach of looking at a culture through the culture adaptations is a better way to categorize a population

Citation

Greksa, Lawrence. "Evidence for a Genetic Basis to the Enhanced Total Lung Capacity of Andean Highlanders."Human Biology, 68.1 (1996): 119-129.

The Nacerima Culture

Body Rituals for the Nacirema

The Nacirema people are a people that practice complex rituals concerning their bodies.  This culture has many levels of medicine men to assist in the body rituals. The medicine men all require gifts for their participation in these rituals. The ceremonies are done in special rooms, in secret, by the people.

This culture is very narcissistic, The article states ‘’ that a considerable portion of the day is spent in ritual activities and the focus of these activities are their bodies,” The article explains that the Nacirema have special rooms where these rituals are done in secret.  Charms boxes, and special substances from the medicine men are included in the ceremonies. The purpose of all these rituals and ceremonies is to secure or prevent loss of friendship and love.  Many activities are needed to help a culture survive and since such an inordinate amount of time and gift-giving are involved with the body rituals , I would conclude that the individuals in this  culture are narcissistic.

The Nacirema appear to be chauvinistic towards women.  The females that are involved with the Latipso ceremonies are poked and prodded and manipulated.  Since the ideal body image for the females are impossible to achieve with a normal female, the females have to have ceremonies performed on their breasts to achieve the ideal size and shape.  When the female achieves the correct breast size, she is put on display and given gifts. Mothers are often accused of bewitching their children while involved in teaching them the body rituals.  The article states that medicine men are involved with the rituals except in the Latipso ceremony, where the female’s position is to serve.  I would conclude that the female roles are subservient to the male roles in this culture.

This cultural displays painful and brutal behavior while practicing their rituals and ceremonies. The example given in the article discusses the holy mouth man.  This person pokes awls into nerves and makes holes in people’s mouths. Large portions of the teeth are gouged out to make room for the magical material that is placed in the holes.  The people who participate in the purification ceremonies for the sick are stripped naked and rolled around on a hard bed.  These examples show that the people are willing to go through pain and humiliation to be purified with the medicine man’s participation.  The people are brutal in their rituals.

The article describes the Nacirema spends much of their time devoted to economic pursuit.  I would describe the Nacirema people as superficial. It appears that most of their labor and time is spent on rituals to help them achieve love and friendship.  The labor is used to be able to gift give the medicine man to improve their bodies and mouths.  Although this may have some benefit to their culture, it does not seem to be a substantial contribution to a culture. I believe this culture is very superficial.

I would describe this culture as being obsessive. The examples given in the article show a culture with special shrines for secret rituals and ceremonies. These ceremonies are done alone.  Many of the ceremonies involve large gifts exchanged.  The more wealthy people have many shrine rooms. The women bake their heads. The article describes an array of rituals from inserting the hog hairs in the mouth, to the daily ablution with the special water. All of these rituals are performed for the purpose to prevent sickness and decay in the body.  The article states that the Nacirema have a fear of loss of love and friendship due to the state of their mouths and bodies.  This is a clear example of a people who value their selves above the people surrounding them.  So I conclude that the Nacierma are self-obsessed with their needs.

Part B

1.   I feel my descriptive words were very harsh.   I feel ashamed that anyone would use these words to describe my culture.  I am not sure the words were inaccurate.  I learned that looking at a certain set of actions is simplistic.  There are many people in our culture, who work hard, helping the other people. Many people do not spend hours with make-up or worry about their body images. The overall lesson I learned is that studying one segment of a culture will not give you the whole story.  The understanding of a culture could take years.

2.  All of my descriptive words contain bias.  My underlying bias comes from my cultural background, valuing the work ethic and productivity.  My assumption is that, pursuing a perfect body image is of no value.  In the context of our culture, body image plays an important role.  My bias has allowed me to judge the Nacirema as self-absorbed.

3 The first word I would change would be narcisstic.  I would change the word to tenacious.  The statement would say: (The Nacirema is very tenacious in practicing their rituals.)  I stated that the Nacirema are chauvinistic.  I would amend chauvinistic to a less biased word.  The statement would read, (that females have specific roles determined by their gender, which entails them displaying their breasts.)  I stated that the Nacirema are brutal.  I would change brutal to a less loaded word.  (The Nacierma are of a strong disposition in enduring the many painful rituals in their belief system.)  I used the word superficial.  This bias could be rephrased as: (In the Nacierema culture the value of love and friendship is so strong that the Nacierma’s daily routines are occupied in upholding these values.)  The last descriptive word I used was, obsessive.  I would change that word to persistent.   (This culture is persistent in following their beliefs through the ceremonies and rituals performed.)

4.  It is important to minimize bias in judging other cultures, because the bias can warp or change the view of the culture.  I think it is impossible to avoid personal bias in learning of other cultures.  We cannot eradicate bias from our worldview, we carry are values learned from our culture, so How can we get away from ourselves?. Any bias at all can alter and change a persons's entire view of a culture and or society.