Portraits of 'the Whiteman'
Linguistic Play and Cultural Symbols among the Western Apache
Published on 31. August 1979
Book
Hardback
144 pages
978-0-521-22640-0 (ISBN)
Description
'The Whiteman' is one of the most powerful and pervasive symbols in contemporary American Indian cultures. Portraits of 'the Whiteman': linguistic play and cultural symbols among the Western Apache investigates a complex form of joking in which Apaches stage carefully crafted imitations of Anglo-Americans and, by means of these characterizations, give audible voice and visible substance to their conceptions of this most pressing of social 'problems'. Keith Basso's essay, based on linguistic and ethnographic materials collected in Cibecue, a Western Apache community, provides interpretations of selected joking encounters to demonstrate how Apaches go about making sense of the behaviour of Anglo-Americans. This study draws on theory in symbolic anthropology, sociolinguistics, and the dramaturgical model of human communication developed by Erving Goffman. Although the assumptions and premises that shape these areas of inquiry are held by some to be quite disparate, this analysis shows them to be fully compatible and mutually complementary.
Reviews / Votes
'Portraits of 'the Whiteman' ... is an exceptional piece of work ... What it presents is something that is very different for an ethnographer to obtain; indeed, the material presented is unprecedented. The essay is well written, and it packs a wallop. It goes to the very heart of the difficulties in Anglo-American and Native American relations. It should be required reading for every Anglo-American whose work involves him with Native Americans. It will also be exceedingly useful as collateral reading in introductory courses in cultural anthropology.' Ward H. Goodenough 'Ethnographers are not the only ones who do ethnography and Portraits of 'the Whitemen' presents the most subtle evidence that this is so far for North American Indians. It is absolutely at the cutting edge of developments in mutual understanding, to say nothing of the fact that it is superb anthropology.' Alfonso OrtizMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 138 mm
Weight
360 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-22640-0 (9780521226400)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Keith H. Basso
Portraits of 'the Whiteman'
Linguistic Play and Cultural Symbols among the Western Apache
Book
08/1979
Cambridge University Press
€28.10
Shipment within 15-20 days
Additional editions
Keith H. Basso
Portraits of 'the Whiteman'
Linguistic Play and Cultural Symbols among the Western Apache
E-Book
08/2013
1st Edition
Cambridge University Press
€29.49
Available for download
Keith H. Basso
Portraits of 'the Whiteman'
Linguistic Play and Cultural Symbols among the Western Apache
Book
08/1979
Cambridge University Press
€28.10
Shipment within 15-20 days
Content
Foreword Dell Hymes; Preface; 1. Indian models of 'the Whiteman'; 2. Cibecue and whitemen; 3. Joking imitations of Anglo-Americans: interpretive functions; 4. Joking imitations of Anglo-Americans: social functions; 5. Changing portraits of 'the Whiteman'; Appendix; Notes; References.