Michael Silverstein is a professor of anthropology, linguistics, and psychology at the University of Chicago. Anthropology (/ˌænθɹəˈpɒlədʒi/ from Greek grc ἄνθρωπος anthrōpos, "human" -λογία -logia) is the study of Linguistics is the scientific study of Language, encompassing a number of sub-fields Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and The University of Chicago is a Private university located principally in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. He has studied Indigenous Australian languages and Indigenous American languages. Indigenous languages of the Americas (or Amerindian Languages are spoken by indigenous peoples from the southern tip of South America to Alaska and He earned his PhD at Harvard University, studying with famed semiotician Roman Jakobson, formerly active in the Prague School of linguistics/semiotics. Roman Osipovich Jakobson, (Russian Роман Осипович Якобсон) ( 11 October 1896 – 18 July 1982) was a Russian Jakobson was also a formative influence on anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss. Claude Lévi-Strauss (klod levi stʁos born 28 November 1908 is a French Anthropologist.
Silverstein's research focuses on linguistic pragmatics, linguistic anthropology, sociolinguistics, indexicality, metapragmatics, and language ideology. Pragmatics is the study of the ability of Natural language speakers to communicate more than that which is explicitly stated Linguistic anthropology is that branch of Anthropology that brings linguistic methods to bear on anthropological problems linking the analysis of Semiotic Sociolinguistics is the study of the effect of any and all aspects of Society, including cultural norms expectations and context on the way Language is used In Linguistics and in Philosophy of language, an indexical behavior or utterance symbolically points to (or indicates) some state of affairs Metapragmatics is a term from Linguistics and the semiotically-informed Linguistic anthropology of Michael Silverstein, describing language that characterizes In Sociolinguistics and Linguistic anthropology, a language or linguistic ideology is a systematic construct about how Languages carry or
He is particularly credited with the development of 'language ideologies' as a field of study. Language ideologies are socially grounded beliefs and conceptualisations of language, its functions and its users. Based on work of Benjamin Lee Whorf and Charles Peirce, and incorporating insights from structuralism, philology, history and social theory, 'language ideologies' are seen as patterns that guide speakers' use of language and so, eventually, change that language. Charles Sanders Peirce (pronounced purse) (September 10 1839 &ndash April 19 1914 was an American Logician mathematician, philosopher We talk on the basis of what we believe we can do with and in language, and by doing that we shape our language. Thus, language ideologies form the bridge between language patterns and social and cultural structure, as the socially grounded beliefs in what language is and does convert into particular patterns of use that are understandable, precisely because they fit these beliefs and the expectations they generate. The connections between usage and beliefs are empirically identifiable as 'metapragmatics' - the articulation of beliefs about language use in language use (as when we use polite formulae in addressing someone in a superior position).
Silverstein's work has caused a theoretical and conceptual shift in anthropology, linguistics and sociolinguistics. It has led to a renewed interest in the work of Whorf, Sapir and others. It has also added another perspective of critique of 'Chomskyan' conceptions of language and it has boosted a critical and politically sensitive trend in the study of language in society, influencing notably the study of language policy, language planning, and language in education.
NOTE: This article refers to one Michael Silverstein. There are many Michael Silversteins in the US.
References
- Silverstein, Michael (1976). "Hierarchy of Features and Ergativity". Grammatical Categories in Australian Languages: 112–171.
- Silverstein, Michael (1981). "Case-marking and the Nature of Language". Australian Journal of Linguistics: 227–244.
- Silverstein, Michael (with Greg Urban) (1996). Natural Histories of Discourse. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0822334747.
- Silverstein, Michael (2003). Talking Politics: The Substance of Style from Abe to "W". New York: Prickly Paradigm Press. ISBN 0971757550.
- Silverstein, Michael (2005). Unwrapping the Sacred Bundle: Reflections on the Disciplining of Anthropology. New York: Duke University Press. ISBN 0822334747.
External links
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