Applying Anthropology: Linguistic Anthropology

Figure 1: David J. Peterson, Hollywood Linguist (Source: LA Times)

While anthropology is traditionally associated with four subfields there is an unofficial fifth: applied anthropology, which is when anthropologists use the method and theory derived from a specific subfield or various subfields to solve specific problems.  Typically, when one thinks of problems they think of economic, political, or social issues.  While many applied anthropologists do work in organizations solving such problems the notion of what the term “problem” means can be much broader than this initial definition.  It can and does tend to include any issue that an individual, group, or organization faces, meaning that private sector issues can be included.  It is this creative thinking that actually drives applied anthropology and applied anthropologists into a number of jobs outside of academia, which is what will be explored in today’s blog post, at least for linguistic anthropologists.  In this blog post you will learn about some potential career options for applied linguistic anthropologists.

Language Documentation & Preservation

The most conventional means of employment for the applied linguistic anthropologist involves documenting and preserving endangered languages.  It is estimated that almost half of the world’s spoken languages are at threat of being lost, and with the loss of these languages there is also a loss of cultures and cultural knowledge.  The United Nations has taken special attention to this matter, recognizing 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages.  This initiative is meant to raise awareness of language endangerment, particularly among Indigenous populations, whose language but entire ways of life are at risk of loss. 

Linguistic anthropologists often are at the forefront of documenting and saving indigenous languages.  They do this by recording the language through audio and film, as well as documenting them through writing (as available-remember, not all languages have a corresponding writing system).  They do this to aid others in learning the language and any indigenous knowledge shared through the oral recordings.  They also work with various groups, including the native speakers, in creating and disseminating language dictionaries and other teaching materials.  These initiatives have been successful in some areas of the world (e.g. Irish Gaelic and N||ng), but there remains plenty of work to be done.

Science Fiction & Fantasy Language Writers

The television series Game of Thrones might be over, but it provides an excellent example of how a linguistic anthropologist (or linguist generally) can find gainful employment outside of academia.  Linguist David J. Peterson (Figure 1) was the mastermind behind the Dothraki and High Valyrian languages spoken on the show, but he has also been employed in a variety of other Hollywood film and television series projects, including Bright, where he created the languages spoken by the orcs and elves, as well as Thor: The Dark World, where he created the Shivaisith language. 

Peterson is by no means the first linguist to create a fictional language for literature.  J.R. Tolkein, who wrote The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series, was a linguist turned fiction writer who spent years creating and documenting the languages spoken in his works.  In fact, there is actually a book exclusively on how to speak elven based on Tolkein’s created world (and yes, there are people who have dedicated much study and practice to learning and speaking Elfish).

Given the rise in popularity in science fiction and fantasy based literature and television programming there may be a sharp increase in the number of linguists-anthropological or otherwise-to meet the demands in Hollywood to create new and original languages that captivate audiences.  Before you dismiss this idea as short lived please be aware that Illinois does recognize Klingon as an official language, which is a language associated with the Star Trek universe (a show created in the mid-20^th century, and this specific language was generated in 1984).

Linguists and Industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is all the rage these days, and computer scientists are employing linguistic anthropologists to assist with language recognition.  While this is a relatively new and burgeoning area of employment for linguistic anthropologists other industries have been employing linguistic anthropologists for these very same reasons already.  How many of you (readers) speak to Siri or other device?  You can thank a linguistic anthropologist for enabling your device to not only speak to you but listen to you.  They have also enabled devices to respond in appropriate ways (e.g. if you call Siri a bad name she will admonish you, or in the case of a friend, you can teach Siri new and interesting phrases that you have her address you as). 

Text-to-speech options in phones and computer programs were also made possible by the collaborative efforts of computer scientists and linguists.  This makes life easier for people with disabilities, as well as drivers and riders safer on the roads as people use hands free options on their mobile devices (or at least you all should be!). 

Linguistic anthropologists are continually being employed in industry for other reasons, such as in advertising and marketing.  Understanding what specific words mean in another language can be useful in successfully selling your product, specifically as linguistic anthropologists not only know and speak the language but also have an understanding of the cultural uses of it (e.g. Quebecois French).  This also enables linguistic anthropologists to be versatile and able to be used in a variety of business settings, which is why knowing another language (or two) makes one very employable. 

Bibliography

Blake, Meredith. "How ‘Game of Thrones’ linguist David J. Peterson became Hollywood’s go-to language guy." Los Angeles Times 9 April 2019. Electronic.

Macaulay, Monica and Kristin Syrett. Linguistic Society of America. No Date. Electronic. 5 June 2019.

Shurkin, Joel. "Half The World's Languages May Be Endangered." Inside Science 20 August 2014. Electronic.

United Nations. United Nations. 12 January 2019. Electronic. 5 June 2019.