Anthropology Education

8/9/2019 Anthropology Education

1/21

LANGUAGE, LITERACY, SIGNS AND SYMBOLS: COMMON THEMES IN

ANTHROPOLOGY AND EDUCATION

Theodore S. Ransaw Ph.D.

As!ra"!

Th#s $a$er #s a so"#a% s"#en"e "ross d#s"#$%#nar& %#!era!'re re(#ew o) an!hro$o%o*& ed'"a!#on.

An!hro$o%o*& ed'"a!#on w#%% e de)#ned as !he an!hro$o%o*#"a% a$$roa"h !o e+a#n#n* ed'"a!#on,

!ha! #s !he s!'d& o) !ea"h#n* and %earn#n* #n o!h "h#%dhood and ad'%!hood !ha! !rans#!s wha! a

so"#e!& des"r#es as "'%!'ra%%& re%e(an! and ean#n*)'% -now%ed*e. Three re"'rr#n* !hees ha(e

een )o'nd #n o!h d#s"#$%#nes, !he& o!h a-e 'se o) %an*'a*e, %#!era"&, s#*ns and s&o%s #n

!he#r e+a#na!#ons.


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Coon Thees

LANGUAGE, LITERACY, SIGNS AND SYMBOLS: COMMON THEMES IN

ANTHROPOLOGY AND EDUCATION

In a so"#o%o*& "%ass d'r#n* & )reshan &ear #n "o%%e*e, an #ns!r'"!or !o%d !he "%ass !ha!,

"o%%e*e !ea"hes &o' how !o s!and #n %#ne and )#%% o'! )ors, and #) &o're a #nor#!&, how !o )#! #n.

I was an*r& a! )#rs!. Here I was !h#n-#n* !ha! "o%%e*e was ao'! )'r!her#n* !he h'an s$#r#! or

#*n#!#n* a $ass#on )or %earn#n* and e#n* #ns$#red !o !a-e &se%) !o a h#*her %e(e%. Co%%e*e had !o

e ao'! soe!h#n* ore !han /'s! s!and#n* #n %#ne and )#%%#n* o'! )ors. I! /'s! had !o e.

Ne(er!he%ess, a! !he end o) & 'nder*rad &ears, wha! was #! !ha! I %earned and wha! was #! !ha! I

was *ood a!0 I was *ood a! )#%%#n* o'! )ors and s!and#n* #n %#ne 1!ha! was e)ore on2%#ne

re*#s!ra!#on3. And &es, as a #nor#!&, I %earned !o )#! #n. I %earned !o re$%a"e wha! I !ho'*h! was

"'%!'ra%%& re%e(an! w#!h wha! #s so"#a%%& a""e$!ed. I a%so reeer ha(#n* d#))#"'%!& answer#n* a

4'es!#on on an as!rono& !es! !ha! as-ed, 56ho )#rs! d#s"o(ered !he $%ane!s #n o'r so%ar s&s!e

ro!a!e aro'nd !he s'n. The answer "ho#"e was, A. New!on, B. Co$ern#"'s, C. da 7#n"#, or D.

Co%''s. D#dn! e(er& "'%!'re -now !he $%ane!s ro!a!e aro'nd !he s'n e)ore !he I!a%#ans0

6hen I sa& I!a%#ans, I don! /'s! ean I!a%#ans as #n E'ro$eans. 6ha! I ean #s !ha! !he Ce%!#"s

'#%! S!onehen*e, and !he 7#-#n*s sa#%ed aro'nd !he wor%d 's#n* !he s!ars, so e(en o!her

E'ro$eans -new !ha! !he $%ane!s ro!a!ed aro'nd !he s'n.

Toda&, I s!#%% !h#n- ao'! !ha! 4'es!#on #n as!rono& "%ass. I wonder how was !ha!

#n)ora!#on !ha! !he 7#-#n*s and o!her "'%!'res 'sed !o !ra(e% a"ross !he *%oe $assed !he#r

-now%ed*e )ro one $erson !o ano!her. 6as #! wr#!!en down #n a %an*'a*e, was #! !o%d #n a s!or&

)or or was #! %earned )ro wa!"h#n* soeone e%ses *es!'res and eha(#ors and e#n*

8


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Coon Thees

oser(an!0 Lan*'a*e, %#!era"&, s#*ns and s&o%s, !hese ha(e een !he re"'rr#n* !hees !ha! I

ha(e "oe a"ross #n & r#e) s!'d& o) an!hro$o%o*& ed'"a!#on.

Purpose

An!hro$o%o*& ed'"a!#on w#%% e de)#ned )or !h#s %#!era!'re re(#ew as !he an!hro$o%o*#"a%

a$$roa"h !o e+a#n#n* ed'"a!#on, !ha! #s !he s!'d& o) !ea"h#n* and %earn#n* #n o!h "h#%dhood

and ad'%!hood !ha! !rans#!s wha! a so"#e!& des"r#es as "'%!'ra%%& re%e(an! and ean#n*)'%

-now%ed*e. 5In re*ards !o !h#s e+"han*e o) -now%ed*e, a%% -now%ed*e #s !rans#!!ed "'%!'ra%%&9

1N#"ho%son, ;>3. The e+"han*e o) -now%ed*e has $ower. No! /'s! #n !he )or o) who

!ea"hes #! and how '! #n !he $resen!a!#on o) who has !he right !o %earn s'"h eha(#or9

1N#"ho%son, ;>3, as we%% as !he $ower o) res#s!an"e !o !hose who re/e"! !he !r'!h o) !ha!

-now%ed*e. 5C%ass se*re*a!#on and ra"#a% #so%a!#on #s so "een!ed #n!o !he )ar#" o) U.S. so"#e!&

!ha! o'!s#ders "anno! a""ess !he da#%& %#(es o) !he $oor 51Bor*o#s, ;;


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Coon Thees

#nd#(#d'a%s )ro one "'%!'re !o ano!her. I! sees !o e !ha! ed'"a!#on wo'%d )#! #n!o !ha!

"a!e*or& as we%%, s#n"e wha! we e%#e(e !o e !r'e and re%e(an! #s "'%!'ra%%& #ased. In )a"!,

5"'%!'re #s ade & 's and we are ade & !he "'%!'res we "rea!e 1Mar+, ;3. Tha! wo'%d

s'**es! !he "'%!'ra% )raewor-s o) o'r "ons!r'"!#on o) rea%#!&, 5how we %#(e na!'re, 1#n"%'d#n*

o'r own #o%o*&3 #s !he shared ean#n*s we a-e and en"o'n!er #n o'r e(er&da& %#(es9 1S!or&

$. 82>3. As so"#e!& !r#es !o se$ara!e h'an#!& )ro !he 'n$red#"!a#%#!& o) na!'re, we $ass on

#n)ora!#on !o o!hers and o'r "h#%dren !o "arr& o'! !ha! *oa% o!h d#re"!%& and #nd#re"!%&. 6e

%earn )ro e(er&!h#n* and e(er&one aro'nd 's. Ed'"a!#on #s de)#ned as a%% !he e+$er#en"es o) a

"h#%d, 5e"a'se #n a%% "on!a"!s w#!h !he e+!erna% wor%d !he "h#%d a& %earn soe!h#n*9 1E! a%,

;, $. 8?3. Th#s a-es ed'"a!#on, 5!he !rans#ss#on o) o!h #$%#"#! and e+$%#"#! "'%!'ra%

eha(#or !o eers o) a so"#e!&9 1N#"ho%son $. >3. Th's, ed'"a!#on a& e "ons#dered !o e

!he eans & wh#"h an#a%2an2e"oes !he h'an e#n* !hro'*h o!h #n!en!#ona% and )ora%

e!hods and 'n#n!en!#ona% and #n)ora% e!hods.

H'ans are an#a%s s's$ended #n wes, and !he ana%&s#s o) #! #s no! an e+$er#en! #n

sear"h o) %aw '! an #n!er$ra!#(e one #n sear"h o) ean#n* 1Gee!, ;>, $.=>3.

I! #s !h#s so"#a% $ro"ess o) sear"h#n* )or ean#n* !ha! #s #n(o%(ed #n "ons!r'"!#n*, a"4'#r#n*, and

!rans)or#n* -now%ed*e, !ha! %#e a! !he hear! o) an!hro$o%o*& 1Pe%#ss#er, ;;3.6he!her

#n!en!#ona% or no!, 5ea"h "'%!'re s!r'"!'res #!s ed'"a!#ona% s&s!e !o !ea"h eha(#or wh#"h !he

*ro'$ )#nds des#ra%e9 1@o"a'%!, ;=, $. 883. Ed'"a!#on $asses on des#red "'%!'ra% !rad#!#ons,

en"'%!'ra!#on, and ada$!s o!her 'ndes#ra%e "'%!'res s'#!a%&, as #! "oes #n!o ore or %ess "on!a"!

w#!h o!hers 1N#"ho%son ;


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Coon Thees

"'%!'ra% an!hro$o%o*&. Howe(er, an!hro$o%o*& #s a Gree- !er )or, 5an!hro$os ean#n* Fan,

and %o*os 's'a%%& !rans%a!ed as Fs!'d&, !h's, Fan2s!'d& 9 1N#"ho%son, ;


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Coon Thees

#ns!#!'!#ona%#ed and !rans#!!ed as $ar! o) !he "'%!'ra% !rad#!#on9 1N#"ho%son, ;3. Th#s

%ea(es a !ea"her as a ro-er o) "'%!'ra% "a$#!a%. 6he!her #n a "%assroo o) an #nner "#!&, a non2

na!#(e "o'n!r& or e(en a so"#a%%& des#ra%e a))%'en! ne#*horhood, s'""ess)'% !ea"hers are !he

ones !ha! r#d*e !he *a$ e!ween wha! #s so"#a%%& 'nders!ood and re%e(an! !o wha! #s "'%!'ra%%&

ean#n*)'% !o !he #ed#a!e s!'den!s. Th#s res'%! #s no! !he !&$#"a% one2wa& ed'"a!#on where !he

!ea"her #s a de$os#!or and !he s!'den!s are de$os#!or#es, o)!en 's#n* eor#a!#on and re$e!#!#on.

Pa'%o @re#re "a%%s !h#s !he 5an-#n*9 "on"e$! o) ed'"a!#on and ar*'es a*a#ns! #! 183. @re#re

)e%! !ha! !h#s e!hod o) #ns!r'"!#on $rod'"es an #rre%e(an! ordea% o) ro'! eor#a!#on !ha! ears

no "'%!'ra% re%e(an"e !o "o%on#ed $o$'%a!#ons.

I) )ors o) "'%!'ra% e+$ress#on are !he as#s )or !he s&o%#" "a$#!a% s!r'"!'r#n* $ower #n

an& *#(en so"#e!&, !hen one "an 'nders!and )ro !he $ers$e"!#(e o) a new ##*ran!

o!her and her se"ond2*enera!#on "h#%d !he !ra'a o) )#rs! "on!a"! w#!h !he $'%#" s"hoo%

s&s!e 1Bo'r*o#s ;;


7/21

Coon Thees

6es!ern "'%!'re ao(e a%% o!hers %ea(es !he s!'den! w#!ho'! an& )or o) se%)2o!#(a!#on !o %earn

e"a'se !ha! s!'den! sees no ene)#! o) o))er#n* "o'n!er#n!'#!#(e #deas. 6#!h no )raewor- o)

re)eren"e, eor#a!#ons o) )ore#*n "on"e$!s ha(e no re%e(an"e !o !he %earner. To $'! s#$%&,

E'ro$ean ed'"a!#on and !he %an*'a*e #! !ea"hes %ea(es #nd#*eno's s!'den!s w#!ho'! a %e+#"on o)

#!s own -now%ed*e and "'%!'re. In !'rn, !h#s a-es #nd#*eno's s!'den!s who are !a'*h! !ho'*h

6es!ern ed'"a!#ona% %enses %ose o!#(a!#on !o %earn ao'! !he#r own "'%!'re and )#nd a des#re !o

aandon !he#r own "'%!'re and ass##%a!e #n!o !he a#ns!rea.

Th#s %ea(es %earn#n* a 6es!ern ed'"a!#on and %an*'a*e an e"ono#" ad(an!a*es %ea(#n*

!he a#%#!& !o !h#n- and "o'n#"a!e #n #nd#*eno's %an*'a*es 'nder(a%'ed. Th#s "rea!es

res#s!an"e !o s!'dn* ones own "'%!'re and "a'ses "on)%#"! o(er se%)2#den!#!&, e!hn#"#!& and

"%ass. C%ass, "rea!ed & !hose who ha(e s!a!'s o$$ress#n* !hose who do no! #s os! o)!en

#rrored #n !he #nd#*eno's $o$'%a!#on o) !he "o%on#ed. More !han /'s! ra"#a%, "%ass d#s!#n"!#ons

are o)!en re)%e"!ed #n !he (o#"es o) !hose who )#*h! a*a#ns! !he#r o""'$#ers "on!ro% o) a""ess !o

h#*her ed'"a!#on. Th#s !ra#n o) !ho'*h! #s s'$$or!ed & G#ro'+ who en!#ons !ha! s!r'**%e #s no!

#n !he "on!e+! o) %aor '! #n !he s!r'**%e o) #deo%o*& and "'%!'re 1G#ro'+, ;=>3. The 6es!ern

"on"e$! o) ed'"a!#on e#n* a $ass$or! !o a e!!er %#)e & !he a""ess o) *e!!#n* a e!!er /o #s no!

re)%e"!ed #n a%% #nd#*eno's rea%#!#es. An ed'"a!#on does no! a'!oa!#"a%%& ean !ha! one "an r#se

!o a h#*her "%ass. A e!!er /o )or a )ew does no! ean !ha! #! ad(an"es !he $eo$%e !ha! $rod'"ed

!he #nd#(#d'a%. @or a'*a, ed'"a!#on #s no!h#n* 'n%ess #! ene)#!s !he en!#re "o'n#!& aro'nd

#!. 56e ha(e !aed !he o'r "h#%drenJ w#!h e#!her !he s!#"- or !he "arro! o) a des#red "areer

1a'*a, ;, $. 8>3.9 Th#s does no! ean !ha! ed'"a!#on ed'"a!es a%% eers o) so"#e!&

e4'a%%&. A so"#e!& does no! s$end ore one& )or ed'"a!#on !o e$ower !he %ower "%ass and

e))e"!#(e%& "o$e!e w#!h !he do#nan! 1Kohnson, e! a%. ;


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Coon Thees

where an #nd#*eno's s!'den!s )ora% ed'"a!#on does no! ene)#! !he so"#e!& aro'nd #! wh#%e

s#'%!aneo's%& $rod'"#n* ore )ora%%& ed'"a!ed eers.

Howe(er, ro'! eor#a!#on and re$e!#!#on #s no! a%% ad. In )a"!, S!one and Gras"#

o!h a*ree !ha! #! #s ne"essar& !o %earn !he do#nan! "'%!'res -now%ed*e !o "ha%%en*e and "han*e

#! 1S!one ;=, Gras"# ;3. Ta-#n* !ha! !ho'*h! one2s!e$ )'r!her an& #nd#*eno's "'%!'res

a-e 'se o) ro'! eor#a!#on. @or e+a$%e, "o$%e+ "'%!'ra% -now%ed*e #s o)!en !a'*h! #n

!rad#!#ona%%& ora% !rad#!#ons s'"h as "'%!'res and &!hs. Per)oran"e o) "o$%e+ 'nders!and#n*

s'"h as o"ean na(#*a!#on a"ross "on!#nen!s w#!ho'! odern da& !e"hno%o*& #s on%& $oss#%e &

'nders!and#n* s!or#es and !a%es !ha! ro'! eor#a!#on en!a#%s. K's! as %earn#n* an #nd#*eno's

"'%!'res s!or#es and &!hs #s #n!eres!#n* and no! "'%!'ra%%& re%e(an! !o !he do#nan! $o$'%a!#on,

ro'!e eor#a!#on ABCs !ha! do no! !rans%a!e #n!o !he#r %an*'a*e #s a%so no! "'%!'ra%%& re%e(an!.

So how do ed'"a!ors $er)or !he#r d'!#es #n "'%!'res do no! e(en re"o*n#e a word )or

!ea"her e"a'se #! does no! e+#s! #n !he#r %an*'a*e0 C%ear%& "'%!'ra% "o$e!en"& a !horo'*h

'nders!and#n* o) o!h !he do#nan! and #nd#*eno's "'%!'res #s !he -e&. I! #s no! /'s! e#n* a%e !o

s$ea- !wo %an*'a*es or !o 'nders!and !wo "'%!'res. Yo' ha(e !o e a%e !o !rans%a!e new

#n)ora!#on #n a wa& !ha! #s "'%!'ra%%& 'nders!anda%e. Tha! #s !he (a%'e o) "'%!'ra% "o$e!en"&,

!he a*#" o) ada$!a#%#!&. @or e+a$%e, Pa'% @re#re was a%e !o !ea"h s!'den!s !o read and wr#!e

#n ? da&s when he !a'*h! !he ABCs and $r#er words !ha! were "'%!'ra%%& ean#n*)'% 1@re#re,

83. @re#re a%so ade 'se o) 's#n* #nd#*eno's !ers and ean#n* o) words !o #ns$#re %o"a%

&!hs and #a*#na!#on !ha! #*h! e d#))eren! )ro !he do#nan! "'%!'re !o o$!##e !he "'%!'ra%

"'rren"& o) %o"a% #deo%o*& and wor%d(#ew. E(er& "'%!'re has &!hs, s!or#es and 'ses words !ha!

*#(e ean#n* !o !he#r own "'%!'ra% heroes #n d#))eren! wa&s. B& en*a*#n* %o"a% "'%!'ra%

#a*#na!#on and "o#n#n* !ha! w#!h odern "'rr#"'%', ed'"a!ors "an a-e rea% and sa%#en!

=


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Coon Thees

"onne"!#ons. A))or wo'%d a*ree san* !ha!, 5an 'n#ased !ea"her wor-#n* w#!h #ased a!er#a%s

w#!h#n an e!hno"en!r#" "'rr#"'%' a& we%% e $re)era%e !o a #ased !ea"her wor-#n* w#!h

'%!#e!hn#" %earn#n* a!er#a%s and !ea"h#n* e!hn#" h#s!or& 1;=>, $. 3. S'""ess)'% !ea"hers are

"'%!'ra%%& )%'en! and aware o) ones own #ases !o a"h#e(e des#red res'%!s. Ed'"a!#on

de$r#(a!#on, no! ed'"a!#ona% de$r#(a!#on #s !he "on"erns )or %o"a%s. M#nor#!& "h#%dren #n

$ar!#"'%ar do no! ha(e %ow se%)2es!ee e"a'se o) %a"- o) "'%!'ra% #den!#!&. M#nor#!& "h#%dren

ha(e d#))#"'%!& see#n* !hese%(es and !he#r "'%!'re (a%'ed and s'""ess)'%%& e$%o&ed #n a

do#nan! $o$'%a!#on !ha! e+"%'des !he 1S!one, ;= M's*ro(e, ;=83. Th#s so "a%%ed

primitive !h#n-#n*, #s no! se$ara!e )ro !he eo!#ons !he& e(o-e and are !here& &s!#"a% 1Le(#2

Br'h% ;


10/21

Coon Thees

I! #s no! ere%& s$ea-#n* and 'nders!and#n* a %an*'a*e !ha! a-es one %#!era!e. L#!era"&

re4'#res !he )%'en"& !o "o'n#"a!e and %earn e))e"!#(e%& w#!h "'%!'ra% n'an"e. As !he %as!

se"!#on deons!ra!ed, %earn#n* a %an*'a*e #s on%& !he )#rs! s!e$ #n %#!era"&. The ne+! s!e$ #s !o e

a%e !o ar!#"'%a!e !he a""'%!'ra!#on o) wha! one has %earned. Pe%#ss#er #n)ors 's !ha!, 5so"#a% and

en!a% e(o%'!#on are $ara%%e%9 1;;, $.


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Coon Thees

*ood )or ed'"a!#on, '! #! he%$s s!'den!s !o e a%e !o deons!ra!e s-#%% a! ada$!a!#on as we%%.

Be#n* a%e !o read, s$ea- and 'nders!and #n one "'%!'ra% %an*'a*e and s!#%% $reser(#n* ones own

re4'#res !he "'%!'ra% %#!era"& des"r#ed ao(e. On%& !hose who -now how !o sw#!"h e!ween

"'%!'res e))e"!#(e%& "ross !he )%'#d o'ndar& e!ween "'%!'res #n an ed'"a!#ona% en(#ronen!.

The a#%#!& !o 'se %an*'a*e !o a""o$%#sh !h#s #s "a%%ed "ode sw#!"h#n*.

S##%ar !o do'%e "ons"#o'sness and so"#a% a""ooda!#on !heor&, "ode sw#!"h#n* #s

se$ara!e and d#s!#n"!. Code sw#!"h#n* #s a $ro"ess !ha! #nd#(#d'a%s 'se !o "o'n#"a!e when

!he& are )%'en! #n a! %eas! !wo %an*'a*es. Be #! a %an*'a*e !ha! one s$ea-s a! a Har(ard "o"-!a#%

$ar!&, or when a $erson sw#!"hes %an*'a*es or words and $hrases )ro e!hn#"a%%& d#))eren!

%an*'a*es, o!h are )ors o) e#n* #2%#n*'#s!#". Do'%e "ons"#o'sness a%%ows a $erson !o see

!he wor%d !hro'*h '%!#"'%!'ra% e&es, 1D' Bo#s, ;;?3 and so"#a% a""ooda!#on #s ada$!#n*

eha(#or !o !he "on!e+! 1G#%es and Co'$%and, ;;3. Code sw#!"h#n* #s !he a#%#!& !o

"o'n#"a!e and #n)%'en"e "on(ersa!#ons.

Code sw#!"h#n* wo'%d re4'#re !ha! o!h an ed'"a!or and a s!'den! !o *o !hro'*h #den!#!&

de(e%o$en!s )#(e s!a*es: $re2en"o'n!er, en"o'n!er, #ers#on2eers#on, #n!erna%#a!#on and

#n!erna%#a!#on "o#!en! 1Cross, ;83. These s!e$s ena%e !he a#%#!& !o 'nders!and ones se%)

and ones #den!#!& #n so"#e!&. @or #nor#!& s!'den!s, -now#n* how !o (o#"e "'%!'ra% re%e(an"& #n

!he $ro$er s#!'a!#ons and when !o os"'re !he #s #$or!an! )or s'""ess. @or !hose o) !he

do#nan! "'%!'re, #! wo'%d he%$ a$$ease se%)2de)ens#(e resen!en! as !he& s!r'**%e w#!h !he

#$%#"a!#ons o) a d#(erse so"#e!& 1Brea'%!, 8?3. Man& 6h#!es )ee% "'%!'ra%%& #$a#red #n !he

"%assroo when !he& e"oe aware !ha! E'ro$ean "#(#%#a!#on and #!s e$has#s on !he wr#!!en

word and no! !he s$o-en ha(e he%$ed !o erase "'%!'ra% ora% !rad#!#ons. In )a"!, #! has een

s'**es!ed !ha! wr#!#n* 5s!ar!ed o'! as a se"re! "ode !horo'*h wh#"h a %#!era!e e%#!e e+er"#sed


12/21

Coon Thees

'rea'"ra!#" "on!ro% o(er !he #%%#!era!e asses9 1Lea"h, ;3. 6r#!!en "o'n#"a!#on has a%so

een "a%%ed a )or o) s%a(er& 1S$#nd%er, ;3. Be"a'se, 5wr#!#n* shows how so"#e!#es o!#(a!e

#nd#(#d'a%s !o s!r#(e !o a!!a#n s!a!'ses )or wh#"h !he& are orda#ned & !he )'n"!#ona% $rere4'#s#!es

o) !he so"#a% s&s!e9 1S$#nd%er, $. ;3. The wr#!!en word or oo- "'%!'re, 5no'r#shed

#nwardness, $r#(a"& and #nd#(#d'a%#s, 'nder#ned !rad#!#on, "o'na% w#sdo, "o'na%,

&!h and "o'na% a'!hor#!& 1Ban!o"-, ;=3. Th's, "h#%dhood and sa(a*er& ha(e e"oe

%#n-ed !o "h#%dhood and ado%es"en"e. In )a"!, "'%!'res !ha! $ra"!#"e %#!era"& as o$$osed !o ora%

"'%!'res are o)!en !he )#rs! )or o) ana%&s#s )or so"#a% s&s!es 1M's*ro(e, ;=3. The

#$or!an"e o) ora% !rad#!#on does ha(e #!s er#!s howe(er.

L#!era"& #s no! a%% ad e"a'se #! a%%ows $ar!#"#$a!#on #n so"#e!&, and a& e one reason

!ha! UNESCO )ee%s !ha! %#!era"& #s )reedo 1UNESCO, 8?3. Man& #nor#!#es (a%'e and

a$$re"#a!e !he enhan"een! !ha! 6es!ern %an*'a*e %#!era"& $ro(#des. M's*ro(e wo'%d a*ree

asser!#n* !ha!, 5%#!era"& $ro!e"!s !he %ower "%asses )ro e+$%o#!a!#on and o$$ress#on 1M's*ro(e,

;=, $. 8>3. An #%%#!era!e who "anno! read, re)er !o !he#r r#*h!s or "anno! 'se a "o$'!er #s

('%nera%e 1M's*ro(e, ;=3. Th#s #s es$e"#a%%& re%e(an! !o ed'"a!ors who are #n 'ran areas as

we%% as #n !he (#%%a*e. The ed'"a!or #n a so"#a%%& des#ra%e area 's! "on!#n'e !o $ass on !he

"'%!'ra%%& a""e$!ed -now%ed*e !o '$ho%d !he#r s!'den!s s!a!'s. The ed'"a!or o) !he %ower "%ass

has a d'!& !o !r& !o *e! !he#r s!'den!s #n !he h#*her "%ass. Th#s "an on%& e a"h#e(ed #) !he !ea"her

#n !he "%assroo -nows how !o e+$%a#n and "o'n#"a!e #n re%e(an! !ers and 'nders!and !he

"'%!'ra% (a%'es o) !he#r s!'den!s who a& no! e %#!era!e. E(en non%#!era!e "'%!'re ha(e

"on"e$!'a% (a%'es a%% !he#r own.

@or e+a$%e, non%#!era!e so"#e!#es are s'$er#or a! /'d*#n* !he n'er o) "'$s #n a ow% o)

r#"e, whereas %#!era!e so"#e!#es are e!!er a! '%!#$%#"a!#on and d#(#s#on. A "#!& "an e !ho'*h! o)

8


13/21

Coon Thees

& re(ers##%#!&, re"ons!r'"!ed and de"ons!r'"!ed, na!'re "anno! e !ho'*h! o) #n !hose !ers

1M's*ro(e, ?3. In non%#!era!e so"#e!#es, *oa!s a& e n'ered d#))eren!%& !han shee$

1M's*ro(e 83 one shee$ a& e wor!h ore !han a *oa! or (#"e (ersaJ. In !ha! "'%!'re, &o'

a& no! e a%e !o add *oa!s or shee$, and &o' wo'%d no! e a%e !o d#(#de one. Howe(er,

non%#!era!e *oa! herd#n* so"#e!#es add and s'!ra"! *oa!s and shee$ & s's!#!'!#n* a!er#a%

o/e"!s s'"h as seeds, eads or s!ones /'s! as e))e"!#(e%& as a E'ro$ean $'r"hase d#))eren!

"ood#!#es. D#))eren! so"#e!#es and "'%!'res wr#!e or no! wr#!e and !h#n- d#))eren!%& de$end#n*

on !he %o*#"a% needs o) !he#r en(#ronen! and !he#r o/e"!#(es. Lo*#" #s no! aso%'!e '! so"#a%%&

s#!'a!ed and "anno! e !rea!ed & !he %earner as #) #! was "on!e+! )ree 1M's*ro(e, 3. O$#n#ons

%#-e !hese )rae !he as#s o) !he )a%se #dea !ha! non%#era!e $eo$%e are 'na%e !o !h#n- #n as!ra"!

!ers. And a%!ho'*h so"#e!#es are des"r#ed as, 5%#!era!e$re%#!era!e, as!ra"!"on"re!e !ers9

1Pe%#ss#er, ;;3, #n )a"! %#!era"& #s !#ed !o "on"re!e s#!'a!#ons and "'%!'ra% "on!e+!. One has !o e

a%e !o !h#n- #n as!ra"! !ers #n re%a!e !o !he#r s!'den!s.

Tea"h#n* & e+a$%e #s on%& $oss#%e #) e(er&one #n !he "%ass #s s!ar!#n* )ro !he sae

$%a"e as !he #ns!r'"!or. Haer !h#s, na#% !ha!. L#!era"& a%so en!a#%s -now#n* wha! a haer #s

and how !o *e! one. @or ed'"a!ors !h#s en!a#%s 's#n* s!'den!s "'%!'ra% &!hs and %o"a%

e+$er#en"es !o #ns$#re "han*e. No! on%& are "'%!'ra% a%!erna!#(es no! !a'*h! #n 6es!ern h#s!or&

"%asses, 6es!ern h#s!or& has an e$has#s on !he a#%#!& o) "on)%#"! !o re#n)or"e !he d#))eren"es

e!ween $eo$%e. Th#s re$rod'"es !he #dea !ha! )or"e "an reso%(e o$$ress#on 1Bresa'%!, 8?3.

The res'%!#n* (#o%en"e #n !he wor%d #s "rea!ed )ro !he arr#ers e!ween !hose who are %#-e 's

and !hose who are no! 1Lea"h, 8>3. 6e are a%% h&$er2%& aware o) !he other .

S#*ns and S&o%s

>


14/21

Coon Thees

Now we %oo- a! &e! ano!her an!hro$o%o*#"a% a$$roa"h !o 'nders!and#n* ed'"a!#on. 6e

ha(e seen how an!hro$o%o*#s!s e+a#ne how ed'"a!#on !ea"hes !he "'%!'re o) o!h a !r#e and a

na!#on !hro'*h %an*'a*e and %#!era"&. Th#s se"!#on w#%% e+$%ore how ed'"a!#on #$%#"#!%&

re#n)or"es "'%!'re !hro'*h s#*ns and s&o%s. @or !h#s a$$roa"h, s#*ns and s&o%s "an #n"%'de

a"!#ons, *es!'res and o/e"!s. Bo!h %earn#n* a /o s-#%% and a "han*e #n so"#a% s!a!'s #s an a"!#on.

S$e"#)#" a"!#ons #n !ha! new ro%e are des"r#ed as *es!'res, and !an*#%e #!es 'sed !o $er)or

!hose sae *oa%s are #den!#)#ed as o/e"!s.

I! was Ro'sswa' who )#rs! s'**es!ed !he #dea !ha!, as d#))eren! %an*'a*es "han*e

s&o%s, !he #deas o) wh#"h !he s&o%s e+$ress are a%so ada$!ed 1;=>3. The Sa$#r26hor)

H&$o!hes#s s!a!es %an*'a*e has a do'%e e))e"! on "o*n#!#on, #n)%'en"#n* no! on%& !he wa& we

!h#n-, '! a%so !he rea%#!& !ha! #s $resen!ed !o 's !o !h#n- ao'! 1;=>3. I! #s no! d#))#"'%! !o

e%#e(e !ha! o!h s&o%#" o(een!s and *es!'res "an a%so "han*e ean#n*. C%ose%& re%a!ed !o

%an*'a*e, 5*es!'res o) wor- "on!a#n rea% "on!en! e&ond !he#r #n!en!#ona%#!&9 16o%), 88, $. ?3.

Ta-e )or e+a$%e !he ean#n* eh#nd !he $hrase, gesture of work . 6or- #s a *es!'re o) so"#a%

s!a!'s, so '"h so wor- has e"oe !he de"#d#n* reason )or !he ean#n* o) %#)e 16'%), 88, $.

?3. Th#s #s !r'e #n o!h !he #nner "#!& and r'ra% "o'n#!#es a%% a"ross !he *%oe.

5Ind#(#d'a%s are re"r'#!ed !o e eers o) a "'%!'re and & wh#"h "'%!'re #s

a#n!a#ned9 1Pe%#ss#er, ;;, $. =83. These "'%!'ra%%& a#n!a#n#n* *es!'res #n"%'de o(een!s

s'"h as e#n* *a#n)'%%& e$%o&ed "o'n#!& #nded and $rod'"!#(e. In e(er& "'%!'re, s!'den!s

are en"o'ra*ed !o 'se !he#r a#%#!#es and !a%en!s )or !he *ood o) so"#e!& 1Dewe&, ;


15/21

Coon Thees

ana*een! as we%%. O)!en %earn#n* !he new /o s-#%% #s no! as d#))#"'%! as na(#*a!#n* a new

so"#a% !err#!or&. One o) !he wa&s #n wh#"h )ora% ed'"a!#on !ea"hes so"#a% s!a!'s #s !hro'*h !he

#$%#"#! a"!#ons o) ones o""'$a!#on. These a"!#ons are !a'*h! )ro #r!h.

A "h#%ds )#rs! #n!era"!#on w#!h o!hers and !he wor%d #s !hro'*h ##!a!#on 16'%), 883. I!

#s no! !oo '"h o) a s!re!"h !o e%#e(e !ha! %earn#n*, a as#" #n*red#en! o) ed'"a!#on, #s o)!en a

re$ea!ed eha(#or o) "o$n* o!hers. O'r a#%#!& !o "o$& o!hers & ##!a!#n* %an*'a*e and

a"!#ons #s "on!#n'a%%& $er)e"!ed #n!o ad'%!hood. Th#s #dea !ha! ed'"a!#on !a-es $%a"e %ar*e%& (#a

#es#s was aro'nd s#n"e P%a!os Politeia 1;>3. The "on"e$! o) e#s#s #s !ha! when we are

&o'n*, we %earn & "o$n* o%der s#%#n*s, ad'%!s and $aren!s. 6hen we are o%der, we %earn &

##"-#n* o!her $ro)ess#ona%s and s'$er(#sors #n ho$es o) re$ea!#n* !he#r s'""ess. In o!her

words, ere%& %earn#n* !he %an*'a*e and -now#n* how !o read and wr#!e are no! !he on%& wa&s #n

wh#"h we %earn. 6e 's! e a%e !o Fa"! #n a wa& !ha! #s s'#!a%e. Ha(#n* !he as#" s-#%%s #s

ne"essar& -now#n* how !o an#$'%a!e !he do#nan! %an*'a*e !ha! "rea!es !he $ro$er s#*ns and

s&o%s as !he so"#a% "on!e+! "han*es #s a -e& %esson #n %#!era"& as we%%. So !oo #s !he a#%#!& !o

de!e"! !he "orre"! a"!#ons #n !he $ro$er s#!'a!#on. 6hen we %earn wor- eha(#or )ro o!hers, we

are ##"-#n* !he so"#a% o(een! o) o!hers. Do#nan! "'%!'res ##" !he s&o%#" a"!#ons o)

o!hers #nor#!#es o)!en ##" !he s&o%#" a"!#ons o) o!hers when !he& "han*e so"#a% s!a!'s.

Th#s so"#a% s!a!'s #s earned !&$#"a%%& !hro'*h a "han*e #n o""'$a!#on. In o!h #ns!an"es,

o""'$a!#on, or wor- #s a s&o%#" a"!#on. No! on%& #s !he wor- one $er)ors #s s&o%#", '!

how one $er)ors !he /o #s s&o%#" as we%%.

In os! so"#a% "on!e+!s, a /o deno!es s!a!'s, and s!a!'s #s a s&o%#"a%%& re"o*n#ed

"hara"!er#s!#" ass#*ned & o!hers. The ro%e !ha! one $er)ors #n !he /o #s !he e+$e"!ed a"!#ons o)

!ha! $ersons s!a!'s. These e+$e"!a!#ons are on2!he2/o and o)) !he /o. A $o%#"e o))#"er #s


16/21

Coon Thees

e+$e"!ed !o e %aw a#d#n* e(en when o)) wor-, and a !ea"her #s e+$e"!ed !o ha(e a "on!#n'a%%&

)'n"!#on#n* ora% "o$ass !o a-e !he r#*h! "ho#"es e(en when no! #n !he "%assroo. These

eha(#ors are so"#a%%& ere"!ed and %earned. The& are o)!en !a'*h! o!h #n!en!#ona%%& and

'n#n!en!#ona%%& & a donor, soeone who $resen!s a $a!!ern o) eha(#or !o ano!her 1N#"ho%son,

;2>;3. Th#s ##!a!#on o) a %#(ed e+$er#en"e #s "a%%ed #es#s.

A%!ho'*h #! re4'#res a )or o) $er)oran"e and ar!#s!r&, ees#s #s no! $as!#"he.

5M#es#s does no! ean s#$%& ##!a!#on, '! a-#n* onese%) s##%ar9 16'%), 88, $. 3.

Mees#s #n no! an aa%*aa!#on o) wha! e(er #s a! hand, '! re4'#res )ore!ho'*h! and #s

!here)ore no! r#"o%a*e 1Le(#2S!ra'ss, ;


17/21

Coon Thees

and r#e) "ase a& e seen as !aoo !o !he "'%!'re !he wearer has /'s! %e)!. Bo!h !he so"#a% and

s&o%#" "on"e$!s o) o/e"!s o) wor- ena%e !hose o) !he do#nan! "%ass a""e$! a #nor#!& ore

read#%&. I! a-es !he #nor#!& no %on*er !he other .

The, 5other #s ne(er o'!s#de or e&ond 's #! eer*ed )or"e)'%%&, w#!h#n "'%!'ra%

d#s"o'rse, when we think we s$ea- os! #n!#a!e%& and #nd#*eno's%& Fe!ween o'rse%(es.9

1Bhaha, ;;, $. ?3. The other a& e !he $erson !ha! a$$ears when we s$ea- ao'! wha! we

)#nd )r#*h!en#n*. The other re$resen!s wha! #s no! e+a"!%& ade #n!o se%), '! e"oes a )#*'re #n

wh#"h se%) and )ore#*n are #+ed: !he #n2e!ween9 16'%), 883. 6he!her "rea!ed

'n#n!en!#ona%%& & wha! we )ear, or #n!en!#ona%%& & !hose who 'se !he "'%!'ra% a*#" o)

ass##%a!#on, os! #nor#!#es dan"e e!ween d#))eren! "'%!'res. Th#s dan"e o) "han*e #n so"#a%

s!a!'s re4'#res e+"%'s#on )ro one *ro'$ and a""e$!an"e o) ano!her. I! #s soe!#es ne"essar& !o

o(#s"a!e s'2"'%!'ra% !ra#!s )or do#nan! "%ass ones. In !h#s "ase, $ersona% !ra#!s !ha! are

des#ra%e are e+a%!ed, !hen !e$orar#%& aandoned aro'nd !he #nd#*eno's "'%!'re. Th#s $h&s#"a%

"ode sw#!"h#n* "an e seen & soe as Fse%%#n* o'!. In )a"!, !he #n#!#a!e a& e o!#(a!ed & !he

en(& o) !he )orer so"#a% "%ass one e%on*ed !o. I! #n"reases s!a!'s, '! #! re4'#res a !e$orar&

sa"r#)#"e o) ones #den!#!&. 6ha! a*#"a% r#!'a% doesn!0

Re"oenda!#ons )or @'!'re Resear"h

@'r!her resear"h #n an!hro$o%o*& ed'"a!#on wo'%d ene)#! )ro #den!#)n* !he

re%a!#onsh#$s e!ween %an*'a*e, %#!era"& and !he s#*ns and s&o%s o) )a#%& and re%#*#on.

Family

S#n"e !he #nner and e+!ended )a#%& $%a&s a %ar*e ro%e #n how "h#%dren e+$er#en"e !he

wor%d, an e+a#na!#on o) how )a#%& e%ders $ass on %an*'a*e )ro one *enera!#on !o ano!her

wo'%d e #ns#*h!)'%. Bo!h #$%#"#!%& and e+$%#"#!%& !he )a#%& !rans#!s "%ass and "'%!'re


18/21

Coon Thees

#deo%o*#es. As !hese (a%'es are e+$ressed *enera!#ona%%&, w#!h !he ad(en! o) !rans$or!a!#on and

!he odern wor%d -#nsh#$ #s o)!en %'rred. In !he A)r#"an Aer#"an "o'n#!& )or e+a$%e,

'n"%es and a'n!s are !ers o) s!a!'s and no! #o%o*#"a% re%a!#ons. These and o!her non2!rad#!#ona%

)a#%& re%a!#onsh#$s s!#%% he%$ o!hers a-e ean#n* o) !he wor%d. Loo-#n* a! !he )a#%& "'%!'ra%

!oo%s !ha! are re$ea!ed #n !he odern wor%d wo'%d a%so e #%%'#na!#n*. Es$e"#a%%& s#n"e !rad#!#on

#s a ne*o!#a!#on e!ween !he e%ders o) !he $as! and !he -ee$ers o) !he )'!'re, a s!'d& #n how !he

)a#%& he%$s o!hers de"#de wha! "'%!'ra% s&o%s !o -ee$ and d#s"ard wo'%d a%so e )r'#!)'%.

@a#%& he%$s 's a%% a-e ada$!a!#ons !o wha! #s "'%!'ra%%& s&o%#" and re%e(an!. These s&o%s

are no! on%& wor- re%a!ed '! a%so re#n!er$re! how *ender ro%es are re#n!er$re!ed and re#n)or"ed.

Religion

In !he US we a%% share !he "'%!'ra% &!h o) a se$ara!#on #n "h'r"h and s!a!e. In rea%#!&,

!ha! #s hard%& !he !r'!h. E+!ree%& $ro!es!an!, !he US ed'"a!#on s&s!e was h#*h%& #n)%'en"ed on

!he #dea !ha! an-#nd 's! -now how !o read and wr#!e #n order !o #n!er$re! !he B#%e. Th#s

ade no! on%& %an*'a*e '! a%so %#!era"& -e& !o !he )ora!#on o) o'r "o'n!r&. An e+a#na!#on o)

!he ro%e re%#*#on $%a&s #n !he en!a% "ons!r'"!#on o) !he words 'sed #n %earn#n* %an*'a*es #n o!her

"'%!'res wo'%d !here)ore e e+!ree%& #$or!an!. The s&o%#" s&o% o) *ender !ha! #s so

%ar*e%& ased on re%#*#on wo'%d a%so e )r'#!)'%. Re%#*#on no! on%& he%$s #n !he )ora!#on o)

*ender ro%es, '! a%so he%$s $ro(#de s!r'"!'re and !he "o)or! o) )a#%#ar and sa"red r#!'a%s !ha!

"o)or! 's when we are )ar awa& )ro hoe or when we )#nd o'rse%(es )ar awa& )ro o'r

"'%!'re.

=


19/21

Coon Thees

RE@ERENCES

A))or. 1;=>3. Issues and Resources: Handbook for Teachers in the ulticultural !ociety.

B#r#n*ha: R'sse%%.

Ban*'ra, A. 183. U'n!'*o*&: an A)r#"an ed'"a!#ona% $arad#* !ha! !rans"ends $eda*o*&,

andra*o*&, er*ano*& and he'!a*o*&. . "ournal of Third #orld !tudies$ %%183, >2>.

Ban!o"-, G. H. 1;=3. The implications of literacy 17o%. 83. London: 6o'rn Press.

Berns!e#n, B. 1;3. Ed'"a!#on "anno! "o$ensa!e )or so"#e!&. &ew !ociety$ %' February.

Bo'r*o#s, P. 1;;3. The soul of 1lack folks. New Yor-: Do(er P'%#"a!#ons.

@o"a'%!, M. 1;;3. Discipline and Punish. Harondswor!h: Pen*'#n.

@o'"a'%!, M. 1;=3. Truth and Power : Har(es!er, Hee% He$s!ead.

@re#re, P. 1;3. Pedagogy of the opressed . New Yor-: Con!#n''.

@re#re, P. 183. Pedagogy of the 2ppressed . New Yor-: Con!#n'' Press.

G#%es, H. C., N. 1;;3. 3anguage: 4onte5ts and 4onse6uences. Pa"#)#" Gro(e:

Broo-sCo%eP'%#sh#n* Co.

;


20/21

Coon Thees

Gras"#, A. 1;3. !elections from the Prison &otebooks. New Yor-: In!erna!#ona%.

noe%, M. 1;;;3. -veryday literacies: !tudents$ discourse$ and social practice. New Yor-: 0

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Anthropology Education