Symbolic: Sherry Ortner’s Work on Symbols and Language

As previously discussed on the blog culture is symbolic, and one of the major aspects of culture is language.  Therefore, it seems appropriate to discuss these two concepts as one.  Linguistic anthropologist, Sherry Ortner, has completed work on this very topic, and today’s blog post is dedicated to addressing the three types of key symbols.  You will learn what these are and how they universally represent language(s) and culture(s).

 

Language is a key means of communicating among people, and in various ways culture is transmitted through language (be it in the form of affecting how one understands the world around them or purposefully teaching people about one’s culture).  Often when people think of language they think of verbal communication, but language can and does include nonverbal communication, such as body language, tone, and more.  One such example of nonverbal communication is the use of signs, which can be images, words, or objects that represent specific meaning.  An expansion of signs are symbols, which can take on more meanings that a simple sign.  Sherry Ortner conducted research on symbols and identified three specific types, which she identified as key symbols, symbols that carry powerful messages that are central to a specific culture.  

 

Figure 1: Christian Cross (Creative Commons)

 

The first key symbol she identified is a summarizing symbol.  This type of symbol embodies various meanings and experiences.  There are various types of summarizing symbols, including nations’ flags or religious icons.  For example, the Christian cross represents various aspects of the Christian faith, including but not limited to Christ, the crucifixion, resurrection, sacrifice, sin, and more (Figure 1).  

 

Figure 2: Engagement and Wedding Rings (Creative Commons)

 

The second type of key symbol is the elaborating symbol.  These are symbols that help define complex relationships or intricate feelings.  We can see some great examples of elaborating symbols in interpersonal relationships, particularly when individuals decide to enter committed relationships.  In American culture a piece of jewelry (e.g., wearing a partner’s class ring or being gifted a promise ring) symbolizes one’s commitment to another, while an engagement and/or wedding band carries even deeper personal meaning that demonstrates the relationship status between individuals (Figure 2).

 

Figure 3: Rosie the Riveter (Creative Commons)

 

The third and last type of key symbol is a key scenario.  These demonstrate the ideal actions one should take within a culture.  These are easily seen in propaganda posters, such as Rosie the Riveter during the 1950s or Anti-Drug Ads throughout the 1980s and 1990s (Figures 3 & 4).  Rosie the Riveter is a woman wearing what for the period was masculine attire while working a “man’s job”.  She was often accompanied by a variety of slogans, the most popular being “We can do it!”  The purpose of these images was to encourage women to work outside of the home while men were serving in the war, which was not widely promoted prior to the second World War.  Anti-Drug Ads throughout the 1980s and 1990s were meant to encourage young people not to use drugs, although their effectiveness really did vary.

 

Figure 4: Anti-Drug Ad of the 1980s (Creative Commons)

 

 

References

 

Welsch, R.L. & L.A. Vivanco.  (2015).  Cultural Anthropology: Asking Questions About Humanity.  Oxford University Press.