Spotlight on Students: Focal Language

The Spotlight on Students series features the work of my students, and this edition focuses on focal language.  Students were tasked with identifying and exploring the focal language of a specific cultural group they either were affiliated with or knew about, and the following is an example of student exemplary work:

Comic Kingdom, Reno,  Nevada: The "field site" of Pina-Lira's focal language assignment.

Esteban Pina-Lira

Anthropology 101: 1005: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

            Comic shops have seen a rise in business with the rise in popularity in comic book related movies. Many new comers can be intimidated by the comics and comic shop culture. Working at the “LCS” (local comic shop) I have learned there are many words and phrases that are used that can confuse people outside of the culture that only people in the comic community would understand the real meaning of the words or phrases. Comic book fans can use certain words such as “pull list,” “trade” and “The Big Two,”  and these would be some words that are part of their focal language. To non-comic shop regulars these words could mean absolutely nothing or just confuse them.

            Culture relies on many things for it to survive but some characteristics of culture seem more important than others. We can all agree that communication amongst the people of any culture is one of the most important things. In most cultures they have a language or words to which only people of that culture would understand, and that would be the definition of focal language (Gezon and Kottak, 2014, p. 66).

            Walking into the “LCS” where I am employed, I might ask you if you have a “pull list” or a “hold.” For most people they might not understand what that is, but what I am actually asking is if you are here to pick up your comic subscriptions. A comic shop can reserve comic subscriptions for customers if they have the titles on their “pull list” so they do not miss out on an issue. You might come in looking for a comic issue that you find out has been out of print for a while, which those issues are called “back issues.” I might then recommend to try looking for that issue in a “trade”. The “trade” is short for “trade paperback”, which is the collected issues of a whole story arc. On the other hand, you could come in for a first issue of a title in which you have seen a lot of advertisement for, only to be told that all they have are “variant” copies. A “variant” is a limited edition copy of the issue with a different cover on it done by a different artist. These are typically items usually bought by collectors because of how limited the print run on them is. It can be as limited as getting one “variant” per ten copies of regular issues that the “LCS” orders or one “variant” per hundred they order. “Variant” issues are usually more expensive and are sometimes “CGC’d”, which means they are sent in to a company (Certified Guaranty Company) that grades their condition based on a scale of 0.5 through 10. A “one-shot” is a stand-alone comic issue that is a short story that is self-contained and is easy to pick up for new readers. I would recommend a "one shot" to anyone who does not want to pick up a similar issue that is midway through a story.

            Now this lexicon is not just limited to items in a comic shop, there are words to describe things found in the actual comics. For instance with “The Big Two,” a term used when talking about the two major comic book companies, Marvel and DC,  each have several universes between them. The term "multiverse" is a word widely used to describe their fictional universes. It keeps separate the movie universes to the many, different universes in comics between both companies. Marvel and DC each have their own name used for their own individual canon universe. For DC the name the fan base uses when talking about their main canon universe is “Earth Prime” and for Marvel it is “Earth-616” or just “The 616”. Comic story arcs do not always stay self-contained in one specific title; comic companies have been known to spread out different parts of story arcs throughout different comic titles and have had the term “crossovers” used to describe this. For example, a Batman title can crossover with a Superman title.

            The lexicon used in the comic culture is not necessarily used to keep newcomers out, but it is used to keep terms from getting to complex and to stay simple. An example would be that it would be easier to bring up the names used for the different universes amongst fans than to try to explain what issue, story arc, or movie they are talking about. It is also easier for me as an employee at the “LCS” to use these terms because it helps me talk with regulars at the “LCS” about things in the shop without it getting too complex.

            Outsiders listening to comic fans who use this vocabulary can be confused when hearing some of these words used in different ways, but the words or phrases make it easier for people of the comic fan base to identify to others that share the same hobby. Knowing these terms makes buying comics or discussing things that are going on in comics much easier. In turn it can intimidate new comic fans from getting into the hobby. New comic fans usually come in wanting to learn more of their new favorite characters after watching a movie, TV show or playing video games. Hearing new words like "multiverse" and "Earth-616" can be very confusing to them because they can only wonder what these terms are when talked about, since they are not mentioned in the movies, TV shows or games.

            The focal language that goes around the “LCS” is something I do not even noticed anymore, but when talked about I realize that there are many words that seem foreign to people. Even then I am always more than happy to explain the meaning of the terms that I use. When newcomers walk into the shop it is easy to spot them due to their limited knowledge of comics and the terms used. Next time you walk into the “LCS” you can ask to start a “pull list” or maybe try asking for a “trade” of a certain comic that you enjoy.

           

 Bibliography:

Gezon, L., & Kottak, C. (2014). Anth 101 Cultural Anthropology Truckee Meadows Community College McGraw-Hill  
 

Truckers (www.nytimes.com)

Rebecca Adkins
Anth 101: 1005: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 

The key to understanding a culture is to understand the language behind it. Language changes rapidly, and therefore new words and distinctions are created, expanding one’s lexicon, or vocabulary. Throughout the world there are related groups who share certain lexicons and utilize unique phrases in order to better communicate with one another. These specialized terms and phrases within certain groups are better known as focal vocabulary. Defined by Lisa Gezon and Conrad Kottak in their book Cultural Anthropology, focal vocabulary is “a set of words and distinctions that are particularly important to certain groups (those with particular foci of experience or activity)” (68). The utilization of focal vocabulary to a person unfamiliar with the group may be seen as confusing, but to members within a group, focal vocabulary is useful in their everyday lexicon.

            One group in particular that has successfully employed focal vocabulary is truckers. Truckers are people whose job entails driving trucks over long distances. One mechanical innovation that truckers encompass daily is citizen band radios, or CB radios. The focal vocabulary associated with CB radios is extensive, so I have gathered a list of ten terms and their definitions according to the article “Trucker Slang” on the truckersreport.com web site that is used by truckers to better understand trucker lexicon:

·         Alligator: A blown tire in the road.

·         Baby Bear: A rookie police officer.

·         Bear Bait: A speeding car.

·         Back `em up: Slow down.

·         Backslide: A return trip.

·         Flip Flop: U- turn.

·         Big Slab: Interstate.

·         Clean Shot: The road is clear of police officials.

·         Chicken Coup: Weigh station.

·         Double Nickel: Speed limit is 55 miles per hour.

         The application of CB lingo, or the focal vocabulary of truckers, provides the purpose of communicating with other truckers fast and efficiently. Truckers are a unique community, and they look out for each other. Trucker focal language is a way to inform other truckers of certain situations such as when to drive carefully due to police officers being in the area, when the road is clear so they can drive fast, as well as suggesting different routes due to car accidents. The importance of this distinct lexicon is the ability to stay in contact with other drivers while still being attentive to the road. Driving is dangerous when not having full attention on the road, so abbreviations and short phrases help truckers communicate as well as stay safe.

         People who are not familiar with the lexicon of truckers may feel confused if they hear truckers talking with one another. For example, if someone hears the sentence “Double Nickel ahead, but you have a clean shot, so see ya at the chicken coup,” they might find themselves confused as to the meaning of this statement. This reinforces the distinct division between members and nonmembers. Nonmembers may believe that truckers are uneducated by the way they talk to one another. This assumption can be brought on by most CB lingo being one to two word phrases that make no sense when put together. This is not the case, though. Truckers simply enjoy being able to talk with one another over radios without worrying about someone eavesdropping on the conversation at hand.

         In brief, focal vocabulary is a unique communication tool that reflects experience among a group. Although confusing to outsiders, focal vocabulary is very important to the ones using it and should not be looked down upon as a wrong way of speaking. Language is not uniform, and varies from person to person. It is ultimately an important aspect in understanding culture. After analyzing the focal lexicon of truckers, I can conclude that truckers are a unique subculture with an interesting focal language.

Works Cited

Gezon Lisa, and Conrad Kottak. “Language and Communication.” Cultural Anthropology. 2^nd   ed. New York: McGraw- Hill Education. 2014. 58-73. Print.

“Trucker Slang.” TruckersReport.com. WordPress. 5 Oct. 2009. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

 

Spotlight on Students: Mendelian Genetics

The following is a post that features the exemplary work of my Anthropology 102: Introduction to Physical Anthropology students as they tackled the challenges of Mendelian Genetics of Inheritance.  The background of this assignment was that they were tasked with discovery the parentage of a mystery alien creature from a group of alien creatures in a group of human's custody, and this post features some of the best analyses of the situation.  

Captain Boston with some "Bupples".

Sophie Marshall
Anth 102: 1001

Determining the genetic makeup of a particular offspring can be a difficult task at times. One of the reasons that this task can be so complicated is the fact that there can be so many different possibilities. Yet there is a certain method of performing this task that can help reduce these complications and make determining inherited traits a much easier process. This method is the Punnett Square, and it is a specialized system that helps to determine the inheritance of genes during reproduction (Stein, Philip 31). It is a process in which the genetic traits are examined, especially among possible parents of the offspring.

            In a hypothetical situation, I am currently exploring an alien planet as a new crewmember on a spacecraft. I am required to study a particular species of alien creatures that reside on this alien planet and determine the parents of a new type of offspring or hybrid. The offspring was conceived in private, and because of this reason the parents are unknown. This new Bupple hybrid has brown fur and purple eyes, which so far has not been seen among the other alien creatures, known as Bupples, studied. The parents of this offspring must also be determined in order to gain a better understanding of the genetics of these alien creatures. To do so, we must consider and study the different genes associated with all the different Bupples studied. 

            The Bupples already studied all express a different pair of inherited traits, and my partners have acquired them all for further studies. My partner Cruiser acquired a Bupple with black fur and blue eyes. Minoy acquired a Bupple with brown fur and purple eyes. Lastly, Lucas acquired a Bupple with white fur and purple eyes. Now, from previous research we already know that blue eyes and brown fur are less common among the Bupple species. We also know that black fur, white fur, and purple eyes are all more commonly seen among the Bupples. After further research on the Bupples, we know that Lucas has the only female Bupple. Because Lucas has the only female Bupple, his Bupple must be the mother of the new offspring. Knowing and using this information can help ease this complicated process of determining inherited traits.

            As we continue to study these Bupples, it is becoming clearer that it is less likely for Lucas’s Bupple to mate with Cruiser’s. Cruiser’s Bupple is less likely to be the father for an incredibly important reason. Neither Cruiser’s Bupple nor Lucas’s Bupple have brown fur. Cruiser’s Bupple does not physically display the brown fur trait, which leaves little possibility for the brown hair trait to be entered into the possible genetic makeup if Cruiser’s Bupple and Lucas’s Bupple reproduce. Cruiser’s Bupple also has black fur, which is known to be a dominant hair color. Also, Cruiser’s Bupple has blue eyes. This aspect on eye color is somewhat arbitrary in that it is generally recessive to purple eyes meaning that either Cruiser’s Bupple or Minoy’s Bupple could create a purple-eyed child. There is always a small possibility that Cruiser’s Bupple could be the father due to mutations or even double dominance, but both are fairly unlikely.

            By studying Minoy’s Bupple, a rise in the chance of paternity of the new hybrid rises. Minoy’s Bupple has brown fur, which is also the same fur color as the new offspring. Although the brown fur trait is a recessive genetic trait, it is more likely that it will be passed down if it is physically expressed in Minoy’s Bupple. This still leaves much possibility for the brown hair gene to be passed on to this new offspring if Lucas’s white-haired Bupple mated with Minoy’s brown-haired Bupple. Also, Minoy’s Bupple has purple eyes, also the same as the mother and offspring. This entails that Minoy’s Bupple could just as well produce a hybrid with purple eyes. As studies continue, there is little reason to believe that Minoy’s Bupple is not the father of the offspring.

            When comparing Minoy’s Bupple to Cruiser’s Bupple, it seems that there is a much higher probability of Minoy’s Bupple being the father. Although there is still a small possibility of Cruiser’s Bupple being the father, it is much more likely that Minoy’s Bupple is the father. To demonstrate this likelihood of paternity, we must use the Punnett Square.

By using the genetic traits of Lucas’s and Minoy’s Bupples, we can demonstrate the probability of producing a specific type of offspring:

	P	P
P	PP	PP
P	PP	PP

-In this Punnett Square, we can see that there is a 100% chance that a purple-eyed child will be produced if Lucas’s and Minoy’s Bupples reproduced to form an offspring

	W	w
b	Wb	wb
b	Wb	wb

(bb-Brown Fur)

-In this Punnett Square, we can see that there is about a 50% chance that an offspring will be produced with the brown fur trait if Lucas’s and Minoy’s Bupples reproduce. This is a much higher chance than if Cruisers Bupple is the father.

	W	w
B	WB	Bw
b	Wb	wb

(Bb-Black Fur)

- In this Punnett Square, we can see that there is absolutely no chance that a brown-haired child will be produced if Lucas’s and Cruiser’s Bupple were to reproduce.

  
Works Cited

Rowe, Philip L. Stein and Bruce M. Physical Anthropology. McGraw Hill Education, 2014.

Kaitlyn Robbins
Anth 102: 1501

Bupples are not your average alien animal. They are sweet and calm, making anyone who is on a lonely space adventure want to adopt one in a heartbeat. My crew mates and I were on a recent exploration of their home planet and we acquired three Bupples. Unfortunately, they got loose in our spaceship and when we found them they had made a cute, little, brown furred, purple eyed baby Bupple. I was instructed by our Captain, Captain Boston, to write a report on my findings. Within the process of my research I have determined that Lucas’s Bupple is the mother and Miony’s Bupple is the father.

            I acquired a zoology book from the alien planet which told me how to determine the sex of Bupples and was probably the worst part of this nightmare. This is how I came to the conclusion that Lucas’s Bupple, a white furred purple eyed Bupple, was the mother. Now I had to determine who the father was. In reading the zoology book, I discovered that black and white fur were the most common fur colors within the species and brown fur color was the least common. Also, purple eye color was the most common, and blue eye color was the least common within the species.

            Knowing this information, I got out some scratch paper and started determining the odds of the offspring of each Bupple. Cruiser’s Bupple was black furred and blue eyed, and Miony’s Bupple was brown furred and purple eyed. Taking into consideration that the offspring was brown hair and purple eyed, I determined that the mother had to be heterozygous because brown fur is a recessive trait, and in order for recessive traits to become expressed, two of them have to be present (Stein & Rowe 28, 29). Because the baby is brown haired and purple eyed, he/she had to of obtained two recessive genes from its parents, meaning that the father had to have the recessive gene, so either one of the male Bupples could have been the father. There is a greater chance of Miony’s Bupple being the father because he has both recessive genes. There was a 25% chance that if Cruiser’s Bupple mated with Lucas’s Bupple they would produce a Bupple with brown fur. There is a 50% chance that if Miony’s Bupple mated with Lucas’s Bupple they would produce a brown furred Bupple. This is how I came to the conclusion that Miony’s Bupple may have been the baby Bupple’s father.

            The other part of the genetic code we can look at it the purple eyes. Cruiser’s Bupple has blue eyes, which is the recessive genotype, or code for each trait. This means that Cruiser’s Bupple has both of the recessive genes (ee) and expresses blue eyes. Miony’s Bupple has purple eyes, and so does Lucas’s Bupple. Therefore, each of these Bupples can be heterozygous, meaning they have a dominant and a recessive gene, or homozygous dominant, which means they have two dominant genes, and express the purple eyes (Stein & Rowe 29). If Lucas’s Bupple was heterozygous there would be a 50% chance that it could have been either male who gave the baby Bupple its eyes. If both Luca’s Bupple and Miony’s Bupple were homozygous dominant, then there would be no chance that Cruiser’s Bupple could have been the father. Unfortunately the odds are not in Cruisers favor here. I believe that Miony’s Bupple and Lucas’s Bupple mated and produced an offspring with brown hair and purple eyes.

            In conclusion, this adventure to outer space has been more than interesting. My crew members and I discovered an alien race that multiplies very fast. Once they multiplied it was not that hard to determine who the parents were, except determining which Bupple was the female, which was probably the worst thing anybody would have to do in their life. After doing some simple calculations, I can confidently say that Lucas’s Bupple is heterozygous and Miony’s Bupple is homozygous recessive in regards to fur color. In regards to eye color, both mother and father possess purple eyes; therefore, they could be either heterozygous or homozygous dominant and the baby would still have purple eyes. With all of this information, Miony’s Bupple is the father.

 
 Works Cited

Rowe, Philip L. Stein and Bruce M. Physical Anthropology. McGraw Hill Education, 2014.