M. Herzfeld: “语境意义研究”专题系列讲座

12nd, Nov., 2021 20:00-22:00

“Anthropology and Semiotics: The Study of Signs and Meaning in Context -- An Introduction”

This is a broad introduction to the relationship between Social Anthropology and Semiotics. Among the topics to be covered are the Peircean triad of icon, index, and symbol, and a discussion of their relevance for analyzing conversation and social interaction. We will also address the role of these concepts in understanding how context affects meaning.

19th, Nov., 2021 20:00-22:00

“Language, Gesture, and the Architecture of Social Space”

This lecture will be about how we understand the meaning of gestures and how gesture, social interaction, and physical space are inter-related. We will also explore the difference between gesture and sign language, and discover why “body language” is a misleading term.

3rd, Dec., 2021 20:00-22:00

“Iconicity: Meaning through Resemblance”

Here we will turn to the intriguing question of why we think some things, people, etc., resemble each other while others do not. Resemblance does not exist purely in nature; it is governed by cultural rules. Exploring the semiotic concept of iconicity will help us understand how that works, and how resemblance is often confused with meaningfulness.

10th, Dec., 2021 20:00-22:00

“The Interpretation of Symbols”

We now turn to a classic anthropological question: how do we determine what symbols mean in a given society, and how do we validate such interpretations? What other kind of knowledge are necessary for such an operation? What happens when symbols move, or fail to move, the emotions?

17th, Dec., 2021 20:00-22:00

“Rationality and Realism: The Pragmatics of Social Life”

In this final lecture, we explore the limits of our ability to understand how social life works. We will examine the possible meanings of (social) “realism” and will lay out some criteria for evaluating ethnographic data.