Liberman1984
Liberman1984 | |
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BibType | ARTICLE |
Key | Liberman1984 |
Author(s) | Kenneth Liberman |
Title | The Hermeneutics of Intercultural Communication |
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Tag(s) | EMCA, intercultural communication, anthropology |
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Year | 1984 |
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Journal | Anthropological Linguistics |
Volume | 26 |
Number | 1 |
Pages | 53–83 |
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Abstract
This study is an effort to address an obvious lacuna in anthropological studies-frank discussion of the problematic character of comprehension in conversations with field informants. The problem of the adequacy of communication in intercultural settings has been underestimated by field anthropologists, United Nations' development workers, tourists and others who find themselves engaged endlessly in naturally occurring conversations which have the appearance of being comprehensible while leaving the parties uncertain about what is being communicated. This study investigates the structure of communication in intercultural conversations and analyzes a number of organizational items which participants employ to increase the comprehensibility of the talk to establish a mutually confirmed understanding. The role of indeterminancy in communication and, by extension, understanding is explored and located in the contingent hermeneutic environment of the speakers and hearers who face a variety of practical tasks within the temporal limitations of the conversation.
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