Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LangMov (Language on the move (LangMov): an investigation of Dâw motion categories in context)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-09-01 bis 2024-08-31
LangMov proposed a novel investigation of the concept of mobility among mobile hunter-gatherer groups through the lens of language by focusing on verbs of motion – a bona fide linguistic category reflecting mobility – in Indigenous lexicons and grammars. Specifically, it investigated how occurrences of motion verbs can map onto identifiable environmental and cultural features of a given society. I explored these questions looking at motion verbs in the Amazonian language Dâw (Naduhup; Northwest Amazonia) once it has a rich system of motion verbs and a typologically unusual pattern of motion event encoding: it heavily encodes the notion of the terrain in the verb. I conducted an innovative investigation into hunter-gatherer representations of motion as these unfold in the Dâw peoples’ surroundings while speakers are on the move. We performed semi-structured interviews while walking, in which speakers were asked to describe what kind of motion they are performing. These interviews were recorded in audio, video and GPS for subsequent explorations of the motion verb usage and meanings in relation to measurable topographical features. We then performed multi-factorial analyses, bringing together measurable spatial manifestations and speakers’ perceptions of a motion event which resulted in a record of geographically mapped motion categories. Hence, LangMov’s overall scientific goal was to substantially advance our understanding of the linguistic encoding of motion in its language-and-culture-specific and motion-related context. With respect to training goals, this project was strategically structured for me to acquire the necessary skills to combine qualitative methods for researching motion semantics in context and expand my expertise in adapting structured techniques of elicitation and experimentation to specific field conditions.
The proposal was premised on a three-fold strategy: Discovery –Training – Communication allocated in three different Work Packages (WP). WPs 1-2 represented the Discovery component and included novel data collection in the field, recording semi-structured interviews in tandem with a GPS record while Dâw collaborators were traveling by foot (WP1), and posterior integrative geospatial analysis (WP2). The Training and Communication components comprised WP3. Training was tailored to broaden my technical and analytical skillset in qualitative methods for researching motion semantics in context and to foster my development as an independent researcher and specialist in motion semantics in Indigenous hunter-gatherer languages. WPs 1-2 involved extensive fieldwork in Brazil. Me and my team of community researchers gathered around 15 hours of walking recordings which were transcribed and translated in ELAN. During my time in Lund and collaboration with colleagues from human geography (UZH), I performed multifactorial data annotation and analyses combing audio, video, and geospatial data to map the linguistic encoding of motion onto the physical environment. A resulting achievement of WP 1 and 2 is its significant contribution to advancing our understanding of the encoding of motion in its environmental and language-and-culture-specific context. We have discovered several aspects of the Dâw motion verb inventory which both challenge and illuminate existing typologies on the linguistic encoding of motion across languages (see below). From a methodological perspective, LangMov could consolidate the usefulness of integrative data analysis combining geo-data and linguistic data. For LangMov’s case this allowed for explorations on how environmental factors shape language use in real-world contexts. Collaborations with experts in geospatial analysis from Lund University and the University of Zurich were key to developing this method further. In sum, LangMov has deepened our knowledge of the representation of mobility in a cultural context, which is of crucial concern to human history and diversity, and at the same time advanced our understanding of motion semantics at the intersection of language, culture, and environment. The results speak to an academic audience from a variety of disciplines and enhance our understanding of mobility-related behavior based on culturally salient phenomena evident in linguistic categories.
LangMov has made significant advances in the study of the linguistic representation of motion verbs. The findings go beyond our current understanding of motion verbs and motion event encoding in several ways. For example, we found that ground-encoding motion verbs against prior claims in semantic theory, i) can encode salient aspects of the local topography in motion verb roots, ii) are responsive to and mirror the topography in fine-grained ways, and iii) can be considered basic terms. The discovery that terrain is linguistically encoded in such a specific manner is an important contribution to the field of motion event typology and the understanding of how language interacts with environmental factors. From a methodological perspective, the innovative use of combining linguistic data with geographic information systems (GIS) added to previous work on motion semantics in that we recorded actual spatio-physical occurrences of linguistic features, which enabled the exploration of their meaning in relation to the environment and speakers’ associations of motion-related categories in their language. This interdisciplinary approach is highly innovative and provides a new framework for future studies that aim to link language, culture, and the environment.
Beyond the linguistic contributions, the project's findings have practical implications for community empowerment and maintenance of language and culture. For example, maps created during the project are already being used by the Dâw community for the negotiation of land rights. This application demonstrates the potential for academic research to directly benefit local communities. To ensure the full impact and success of these results further uptake would benefit from comparative studies within and outside the geographic region using the same methodology. This could provide a broader understanding of how motion verbs and environmental features are encoded across diverse linguistic systems. Moreover, an expansion of the scope of this research including more collaborations with linguists, anthropologists, and geographers working in different geographic regions could enhance the international impact of the findings. International workshops or conferences focusing on language and mobility could foster future interdisciplinary dialogues and collaborations. Finally, to maximize the societal impact of the project, ongoing dialogues with policymakers could ensure that the maps and the documentary record created during this project are used to support Indigenous land rights and cultural maintenance efforts.
Beyond the linguistic contributions, the project's findings have practical implications for community empowerment and maintenance of language and culture. For example, maps created during the project are already being used by the Dâw community for the negotiation of land rights. This application demonstrates the potential for academic research to directly benefit local communities. To ensure the full impact and success of these results further uptake would benefit from comparative studies within and outside the geographic region using the same methodology. This could provide a broader understanding of how motion verbs and environmental features are encoded across diverse linguistic systems. Moreover, an expansion of the scope of this research including more collaborations with linguists, anthropologists, and geographers working in different geographic regions could enhance the international impact of the findings. International workshops or conferences focusing on language and mobility could foster future interdisciplinary dialogues and collaborations. Finally, to maximize the societal impact of the project, ongoing dialogues with policymakers could ensure that the maps and the documentary record created during this project are used to support Indigenous land rights and cultural maintenance efforts.