Suntein and Chiseri-Strater discusses body language and culture. To them, body language can not be separated from the culture. The two are interwoven. They categorises what a fieldworker needs to do when it comes to recording nonverbal languages, and what he should do when verbal languages are used. Non verbal to me means strictly the body languages. And so every fieldworker should be able to notice and record when the unfamiliar words and terms that he hears from the insiders are used. Or when the insider makes any move with his body like the example they gave about a boy in class who used three chairs for space. However, these categories are; (a) As a tool of the mind, verbal languages brings nonverbal thoughts to the surface of consciousness, (b) for some fieldworkers, language becomes the topic of their research, illustrating how a culture shares knowledge through words, (c) because researchers write, language provides them with the means to communicate knowledge about others (309). Language can complicates research for a researcher and at the same time helps the researcher if the insiders are ready to cooperate with the researcher. Take for example, if a researcher is researching on unfamiliar culture and language, and he happens not to have a translator, or in a situation where there is one but he is not ready to act completely as an insider that he is, the researcher is bound to have problems. And that is why Sunstein and Chiseri-Srater state that "This tool we call language is equipped with a kind of filter. It filters out cultural specifics, keeping outsiders away from understanding" (307). And so an outsider will need to do extra job to come up with a great research.
So the advise that they give to fieldworkers is to "act as a cultural translator, recording and questioning the meanings of the key words, phrases, and ideas that might serve as clues to step into your informants culture" (311). This makes a lot of sense to me. I can call this multitasking method. A good example was when I went to interview Ivory Moore, there were some of the things he said to me that I did not understand, I either asked him to repeat, or I asked him to explain. But the good aspect of it all was that, his wife was always explaining and giving me more details especially on those words I could not understand. They are the insider and I am an outsider.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Artifact from Mount Moriah Church
Does anyone remember this?
I am very sure some would say yes and some will be wondering where they have seen this fantastic stone that looks like a loaf of bread. Faith Grows Daily is placed in Mount Moriah’s church entrance at the lobby in the Norris community. This stone I was told is one of the artistic stuff they have in the church to show to the people what they believe in and practice. Faith grows daily according to the information I gathered during the class first field trip has to do with communing with God every day. One interesting thing about this stone is that, it is very light in weight and is also breakable. What I did not remember to ask is how they got it and how old is the stone.
I am very sure some would say yes and some will be wondering where they have seen this fantastic stone that looks like a loaf of bread. Faith Grows Daily is placed in Mount Moriah’s church entrance at the lobby in the Norris community. This stone I was told is one of the artistic stuff they have in the church to show to the people what they believe in and practice. Faith grows daily according to the information I gathered during the class first field trip has to do with communing with God every day. One interesting thing about this stone is that, it is very light in weight and is also breakable. What I did not remember to ask is how they got it and how old is the stone.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Over all response
My responses from all the previous readings does not necessarily relate directly to my project, but it is a guide to my field notes taking and conceptual memo formulations as I connects that to what I am doing right now with McNair Scholar Program. My research plan might not fit directly to what I am doing because I intend to add to my plans as I progress in this project. I hope to eliminate all the squishy stuffs. My responses might not be a complete representation of my research, but with the help of my participants and interviews with my field trips, I am sure it will help me to be focused on what I plan to achieve in this historical research work. Does that make sense?
Field Trip Notes on my visit to Ivory Moore's House
Today April 1, 2010 at exactly 2.45pm, I left my office with the McNair Director, Ms Veronica Reed to Mr. Moore's house. Before today, Ms Reed had called him on Tuesday to inform him that she was bringing me to his house. When we got there, we met his wife Mrs. Moore who was busy smoking and watching a TV show. She sat on a wheel chair facing Mr. Moore. We exchanged pleasantries with her. When we turned to say hello to Mr. Moore, we discovered that he was sleeping. "Our quests are here Ivory" shouted his Mrs. Moore. He mumbled something that we could not comprehend and we all started laughing. He laughed too but did not raise his head neither did he opened his eyes.
"Hey SPORTY" Ms Reed called him. She went closer to him and tapped his left shoulder "Veronica is here Sporty". She announced herself. Sporty is a pet name that Ms Reed gave Mr. Moore about eleven years ago when he was still visiting TRIO program department. She told me that she gave him that name because he used to be an active sport man with high school upward bound kids in those days. Well, finally, we sat down after shaking hands with both husband and wife.
Mrs. Moore started with the story of when she used to go to school here in East Texas University and later got a job. She told us that when she was a student, she used to go out to movie theaters with her friends and they would eat plenty of food. She told us that she added so much weight. We all laughed and I asked her to tell me how much wait she added. "I used to be 125 pounds and after eating so much fast food, I became 130 pounds". And it was then that Ivory decided to talk still with his eyes closed. "When we were courting...” Mrs. Moore cut him short and told us what happened the first day she took Mr. Moore to introduce to her parents. "When we got to my parents house, Ivory had to bend to enter through the door because he was too tall. When my auntie saw him coming in, she shouted 'oh my God who is this?". We all laughed. "Yes it is true because I can still remember all of that" Mr. Moore responded. "Don’t mind him, most of those things; he does not remember them anymore. I always remind him" Mrs. Moore told us. Mr. Moore finally raised his head and opened his eyes and looked at me and Ms Reed. “Sporty” called Ms Reed again. “Now you are fully awake” She told him.
I noticed that all the time we were there, Mrs. Moore kept lighting one stick of cigarette after another. Our lungs were filled with smoke. But I think she was enjoying what she was doing. Mrs. Moore is a very interesting woman with a sense of humor.
After about one hour into our visit, Ms Reed asked me to tell Mr. Moore the purpose of our visit which I did, and so we decided to fix a date for me to come back which is going to be Saturday April 3 after noon to have a chat with him. But before we fixed the date of my next visit, Mr. Moore asked me to tell him how I got to know about him and if I have ever met him before. I told him that Ms Reed told me about him as the man who helped with the establishment of TRIO programs in Texas A&M University Commerce. I also told him that I had seen his pictures and that of his wife in the TRIO artifacts. Not only that, I reminded him that I met with him during the black history month at the Commerce public library where I took photographs with him. “Were you there that day?” He asked me. “Yes I did” I responded. “I can’t remember seeing you there” He told me. “He doesn’t see well” Shouted his wife with clouds of smoke streaming from her mouth. “You see, he doesn’t tell me things anymore” She said looking at me.
"I learnt Africa is very dark from a comedy play show" He asked me while his wife watched me to probably hear my response. Before I could say anything, Mrs. Moore said "I know it may not be true because even the guy who put up the show never went to Africa". She asserted.
Anyway, we left there at about 4.55pm pm back to the office. I enjoyed my visit, and one thing I discovered is that both husband and wife are very approachable, and I hope to go back there on Saturday to conduct my interview. And I know I am going to have fun because he accepted that he will sign the signature form and told me also that he is ready to work with me. WOW!
"Hey SPORTY" Ms Reed called him. She went closer to him and tapped his left shoulder "Veronica is here Sporty". She announced herself. Sporty is a pet name that Ms Reed gave Mr. Moore about eleven years ago when he was still visiting TRIO program department. She told me that she gave him that name because he used to be an active sport man with high school upward bound kids in those days. Well, finally, we sat down after shaking hands with both husband and wife.
Mrs. Moore started with the story of when she used to go to school here in East Texas University and later got a job. She told us that when she was a student, she used to go out to movie theaters with her friends and they would eat plenty of food. She told us that she added so much weight. We all laughed and I asked her to tell me how much wait she added. "I used to be 125 pounds and after eating so much fast food, I became 130 pounds". And it was then that Ivory decided to talk still with his eyes closed. "When we were courting...” Mrs. Moore cut him short and told us what happened the first day she took Mr. Moore to introduce to her parents. "When we got to my parents house, Ivory had to bend to enter through the door because he was too tall. When my auntie saw him coming in, she shouted 'oh my God who is this?". We all laughed. "Yes it is true because I can still remember all of that" Mr. Moore responded. "Don’t mind him, most of those things; he does not remember them anymore. I always remind him" Mrs. Moore told us. Mr. Moore finally raised his head and opened his eyes and looked at me and Ms Reed. “Sporty” called Ms Reed again. “Now you are fully awake” She told him.
I noticed that all the time we were there, Mrs. Moore kept lighting one stick of cigarette after another. Our lungs were filled with smoke. But I think she was enjoying what she was doing. Mrs. Moore is a very interesting woman with a sense of humor.
After about one hour into our visit, Ms Reed asked me to tell Mr. Moore the purpose of our visit which I did, and so we decided to fix a date for me to come back which is going to be Saturday April 3 after noon to have a chat with him. But before we fixed the date of my next visit, Mr. Moore asked me to tell him how I got to know about him and if I have ever met him before. I told him that Ms Reed told me about him as the man who helped with the establishment of TRIO programs in Texas A&M University Commerce. I also told him that I had seen his pictures and that of his wife in the TRIO artifacts. Not only that, I reminded him that I met with him during the black history month at the Commerce public library where I took photographs with him. “Were you there that day?” He asked me. “Yes I did” I responded. “I can’t remember seeing you there” He told me. “He doesn’t see well” Shouted his wife with clouds of smoke streaming from her mouth. “You see, he doesn’t tell me things anymore” She said looking at me.
"I learnt Africa is very dark from a comedy play show" He asked me while his wife watched me to probably hear my response. Before I could say anything, Mrs. Moore said "I know it may not be true because even the guy who put up the show never went to Africa". She asserted.
Anyway, we left there at about 4.55pm pm back to the office. I enjoyed my visit, and one thing I discovered is that both husband and wife are very approachable, and I hope to go back there on Saturday to conduct my interview. And I know I am going to have fun because he accepted that he will sign the signature form and told me also that he is ready to work with me. WOW!
From the main post 10
Fieldwork
“I’II be there next Saddy (Saturday), I’II sleep on the flo an eat half rashions ef necessary to git to stay. I need edgercason (education) and mean to have it. Yours truly”(24).
Comments
Yes language is one of the things that Shirley Brice Heath really emphasizes in her book Ways with Words. Like I mentioned in my response on the blog, I cannot interpret most of those expressions used by the mill workers in the text. And as Hamoud rightly said in his response to mine, she was able to understand the language of the people because she lived with them for a long time. And that is in fact the job of an enthographer.
“I’II be there next Saddy (Saturday), I’II sleep on the flo an eat half rashions ef necessary to git to stay. I need edgercason (education) and mean to have it. Yours truly”(24).
Comments
Yes language is one of the things that Shirley Brice Heath really emphasizes in her book Ways with Words. Like I mentioned in my response on the blog, I cannot interpret most of those expressions used by the mill workers in the text. And as Hamoud rightly said in his response to mine, she was able to understand the language of the people because she lived with them for a long time. And that is in fact the job of an enthographer.
From the main post 9
Fieldwork
“I’II be there next Saddy (Saturday), I’II sleep on the flo an eat half rashions ef necessary to git to stay. I need edgercason (education) and mean to have it. Yours truly”
Comments
Yes language is one of the things that Shirley Brice Heath really emphasizes in her book Ways with Words. Like I mentioned in my response on the blog, I cannot interpret most of those expressions used by the mill workers in the text. And as Hamoud rightly said in his response to mine, she was able to understand the language of the people because she lived with them for a long time. And that is in fact the job of an enthographer.
“I’II be there next Saddy (Saturday), I’II sleep on the flo an eat half rashions ef necessary to git to stay. I need edgercason (education) and mean to have it. Yours truly”
Comments
Yes language is one of the things that Shirley Brice Heath really emphasizes in her book Ways with Words. Like I mentioned in my response on the blog, I cannot interpret most of those expressions used by the mill workers in the text. And as Hamoud rightly said in his response to mine, she was able to understand the language of the people because she lived with them for a long time. And that is in fact the job of an enthographer.
From the main post 8
Research Plan
Sunstein and Chiseri-Srater describe working in the field for an anthropologist to mean, talking, listening, and recording, observing, participating, and sometimes even living in a particular place. The field is the site for doing research, and fieldworking is the process of doing it(1).
Comments
It is interesting to know that not only anthropologist does all of the tasks listed above, but fieldworkers also do the same thing. For any researcher to come up with a fantastic research work, he must learn the ways of the people like their language, culture, traditions, behaviors, etc. And above all, he should also be ready to live with and among the people to know all of these by taking daily fields notes and doing a conceptual memo with translation projects. This process is well detailed in chapters 1-2 of Fieldworking.
Sunstein and Chiseri-Srater describe working in the field for an anthropologist to mean, talking, listening, and recording, observing, participating, and sometimes even living in a particular place. The field is the site for doing research, and fieldworking is the process of doing it(1).
Comments
It is interesting to know that not only anthropologist does all of the tasks listed above, but fieldworkers also do the same thing. For any researcher to come up with a fantastic research work, he must learn the ways of the people like their language, culture, traditions, behaviors, etc. And above all, he should also be ready to live with and among the people to know all of these by taking daily fields notes and doing a conceptual memo with translation projects. This process is well detailed in chapters 1-2 of Fieldworking.
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