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Englishes of the World: A Critical Study of Ethnography of Communication
Manisha Sagar
Abstract:
Dell Hymes' promotion of an ethnography of speaking in 1962, subsequently termed the ethnography of communication, established a novel discipline that amalgamated anthropology and linguistics, significantly transforming the study of language, culture, and human interaction. The Ethnography of Communication examines the significance of communicative activities within their cultural systems, operating within the comprehensive context of a culture and interrelated with other community patterns. This ethnographic approach enables researchers to collect and analyse descriptive data regarding conveying, forming, and negotiating social meanings (Saville-Troike, 1995, 351). The methodology is descriptive and founded on the premise that comprehending diverse "modes of discourse" within civilisations enhances our understanding of knowledge. The importance of the ethnography of communication extends beyond the mere documentation of communicative phenomena. The approaches and outcomes are essential for developing a comprehensive theory regarding language, human behaviour, and their interplay with culture. Language, culture, ethnicity, class, gender, and race are interrelated; our communication reflects the socio-cultural groups we identify with. The study “Englishes of the World: A Critical Study of Ethnography of Communication” examines the relationship between various global English variants and their cultural contexts. Examining the cultural subtleties of English variations reveals the language's diversity and depth and the cultures that have shaped it. It is imperative to recognise that no variant is preferable; each form of English encapsulates its cultural significance, authenticity, and individuality. Whether we consider Queen's English, Australian English, Indian English, or American English, each possesses a distinct identity and holds equal significance.