Fieldwork And Ethnography Questions Long
In ethnographic research, the concepts of 'emic' and 'etic' perspectives refer to two different approaches or viewpoints that researchers can adopt when studying a particular culture or society. These perspectives were first introduced by linguist Kenneth Pike in the 1950s and later popularized by anthropologist Marvin Harris in the 1960s.
The 'emic' perspective focuses on understanding a culture from within, emphasizing the insider's point of view and attempting to grasp the meanings and values that are significant to the members of that culture. It involves immersing oneself in the culture being studied, learning the language, participating in the daily activities, and developing a deep understanding of the cultural context. Researchers adopting an emic perspective aim to describe and interpret the culture's internal dynamics, beliefs, and practices as they are understood by the members of that culture. This approach allows for a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the cultural phenomena under investigation.
On the other hand, the 'etic' perspective takes an external or outsider's viewpoint, focusing on the objective analysis and comparison of different cultures. Researchers adopting an etic perspective aim to identify and analyze universal patterns, structures, and processes that may exist across cultures. They often use comparative methods to identify similarities and differences between cultures, seeking to develop general theories or explanations that can be applied across different contexts. The etic perspective is more concerned with the scientific objectivity and the development of theories that can be tested and validated.
It is important to note that the emic and etic perspectives are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary. Ethnographic research often involves a combination of both perspectives, as researchers need to balance the insider's understanding with the objective analysis. The emic perspective provides a deep understanding of the cultural context and allows for the interpretation of cultural meanings, while the etic perspective enables cross-cultural comparisons and the development of general theories.
In conclusion, the concepts of 'emic' and 'etic' perspectives in ethnographic research represent two different approaches to studying cultures. The emic perspective focuses on understanding a culture from within, while the etic perspective takes an external viewpoint to identify universal patterns. Both perspectives are valuable and often used in combination to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cultural phenomena being studied.