From: gil@tillage.DIALix.oz.au (Gil Hardwick)
Newsgroups: sci.anthropology
Subject: understanding and intuition/Also, A question
Distribution: world
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 92 09:07:16 GMT
Organization: STAFF STRATEGIES - Anthropologists & Training Agents


In article <1992Dec23.103909.28251@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> mkarimna@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu writes:

 > I'm not expressing this very well, so maybe an example will
 > help.  There is a word "tarof" in Persian that is usually
 > translated as "ceremonial politeness".  It actually has
 > no translation or English counterpart.  This concept is central
 > to many Iranian inter personal relations and affects the
 > social relations in a fundemental way.  Although I can
 > describe this, many of the subtleties or "feel" of this
 > cultural component is beyond language.  Any thoughts?

Yes, Aboriginal people here have used this word "feel", in saying to a
white person, "You have a good feel for our blackfella way". They also
say things like, "Oh, you like our way. Good!", as part of encouraging
you towards the ceremonies they have in mind for you (that you do not
know about yet).

After that, they will simply call you by your Aboriginal name, or by
an activity you have excelled at as among their own people, for example
(in Tiwi):

        ngapungkerajini (= good hunter)
        menangupurantji (= good dancer)

I do think proper transition into any culture probably takes the same
route, although certainly Chinese have their own far more patient and
lengthy period toward *guan xi* (proper relationship) with China. Some
things in life are not to be rushed.

 > I also have a more direct question.  I am definately a
 > non-specialist (!) but I did do an undergraduate thesis.
 > I am now on break and am mulling over some of the problems
 > I encountered.  A large problem that later was the foundation
 > of the thesis was the difference between how a culture
 > describes ITSELF and events/cultural traits etc. that one
 > oberserves in contradiction to that description.  Many present
 > and past (medieval) scholars incorporated as part of their
 > analysis the cultural's perception of itself.  For a long
 > time I had a great deal of difficulty because some data just
 > could not be reconciled.  Has anyone else encountered a
 > similar problem and if so, can you perhaps explain it more
 > clearly?  Give more details?

Hm, I myself think the challenge to be faced here is how the person who
presented the data you find difficult to reconcile is to be approached,
or challenged, or perhaps even ignored. The latter options are wrought
with peril when that person is your academic supervisor, but of course
all that is part of the "academic discipline", yes?

Somebody posted here once that you might keep reading the literature
until someone's theories set your blood on fire, then write to them
asking to be their student. Also something about being brave . . .

--
Gil Hardwick                          Internet:  gil@tillage.DIALix.oz.au
Consulting Ethnologist                              Fidonet:  3:690/660.6
PERTH, Western Australia                         Voice:  (+61 9) 399 2401
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