University of Kent at Canterbury

ASA Conference 1998

“Indirection, Intention and Diplomacy”

30 March - 3 April 1998

First Call for Papers

• Conference Organisers: Prof. Joy Hendry, Oxford Brookes
  
• Dr C.W.Watson, Eliot College, Univ. of Kent at Canterbury
• Conference Administrator: Alan Bicker, Eliot College, Univ. of Kent at Canterbury
  
• Tel. (+44) 01227 764000, Ext 3686; E-mail: a.bicker@ukc.ac.uk

Devices used to communicate indirectly are undoubtedly in operation in all languages, but their different manifestations are very much open to anthropological interpretation. In English and Japanese, for example, politeness is a good focus of attention. In other languages, lying and deliberate deception are commonplace. In yet others, joking, irony and allusion may be analysed in a variety of fertile ways.

This subject could be approached at an intra-cultural or linguistic level, or inter-cultural communication. Either way, an important aim would be to look at the intentions behind the uses of these devices and the extent to which those intentions are, or are not, communicated to all the parties involved in an exchange. An inequality of understanding would suggest a power differential and the possibility of one party manipulating or directing the other. In any case the use of indirect communication may express a power struggle, especially in parts of the world where apparent harmony is prized and direct disagreement discourages.

In the area of inter-cultural or international encounter, the party with a greater awareness and intention is likely to possess a distinct advantage in discussion and negotiations. Where there is a choice of language, the party using native speech is not necessarily advantaged, although they may feel that they are; and the political power of English, for example, maybe offset by a more subtle understanding of communicative possibilities by someone who is linguistically adaptable. Here we are entering the realms of diplomacy, a subject so far addressed largely by historians, but anthropologists have much to offer, perhaps even in identifying characteristics of ‘diplomatic culture’.

This theme is concerned with language and its interpretation but also with extra-linguistic modes of communication, such as through gifts, clothes, buildings, ceremonies and so forth (in my own terminology described as ‘wrapping’). To include the element of intention limits the subject matter to the conscious and self-conscious uses of symbolic forms, but for the observer it is also an exercise in hermeneutics in any one ethnographic context.

Papers are invited on subjects which fall into categories such as the following which should be considered as exemplary rather than exclusive:

• Language and Sociolinguistics:

• Private Languages
  
• Religious Languages
  
• Formal Languages
  
• Class and Gender Differences in Language
  
• Verbal duelling: dissing; pantun; song “capping”
  
• Satire, Irony and Gossip

  Institutionalised Roles of Diplomacy

• Go-betweens
  
• Licensed Fools
  
• Political Mediators
  
• Actors and Entertainers
  
• Ritual Performers (Trance-dancers)
  
• Masked performers

  Visual Symbolism

• Pictorial Symbolism (e.g., memento mori still-life)
  
• The Language of Food and Flowers
  
• Cartoons and Caricatures
  
• Body Language
  
• The Language of Dress (Power Dressing)
  
• Cultural Display

  Forms of Indirect and Equivocal Reference

• Uses of Quotation
  
• Secrets and Lies
  
• Carnival and Ritual Occasions of Licence

The above represent simply a few of the possibilities which we feel fall within the scope of the Conference and we would very much welcome further suggestions.

Although 1998 may seem some way away at this stage we would like to make a start with the organisation of the Conference and at this stage we are asking for an expression of initial interest without any commitment. We should be grateful therefore if you would send us some indication of your interest either by filling in the form below and sending it to us or by contacting us through e-mail.

*********************

University of Kent at Canterbury

ASA Conference 1998

30 March - 3 April 1998

1. I am interested in attending the ASA Conference in 1998 in Canterbury.
2. I am interested in giving a paper at the Conference. Yes No (Circle as relevant)
3. If the answer to 2 above is yes, please indicate the title of your paper or the area or subject into which it falls with a short description of its contents.
4. Name:
5. Address: (Work and/or Home) {Please include tel. nos. and/or e-mail addresses}:
6. Institutional affiliation:
7. Send to: Alan Bicker, Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Eliot College, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, CT2 7NS. E-mail: a.bicker@ukc.ac.uk
8. or E-mail: C.W.WATSON@ukc.ac.uk or jhendry@brookes.ac.uk