Editing Linguistic Anthropology (section)

== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
Language is a '''Social Action'''.

'''1. Linguistic Relativity (Sapir-Whorf)''':
Does your language change your brain? While most anthropologists reject the "strong" version (that language ''determines'' thought), they accept the "weak" version (that language ''shapes'' what we notice). For example, if your language has many words for "Snow," you are more likely to notice the subtle differences between types of snow than someone whose language only has one word.

'''2. Language and Power''':
Language is used to exclude and include.
* '''Prestige Dialects''': The "Queen's English" or "Standard American" is often used as a gatekeeper in job interviews and education.
* '''Gendered Speech''': Research shows that in many cultures, men and women are socialized to use language differently (e.g., women using more "hedges" like "I think..." or "Maybe...").

'''3. The Performance of Language''':
Anthropologists treat speaking as a "performance." When you say "I now pronounce you husband and wife," you aren't just communicating information; you are ''performing'' a social act that changes the world. These are called '''Performative Utterances'''.
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