THE LANGUAGE BEYOND THE WORDS: A Suggestion for Fieldwork Training

Abstract

In many ways, fieldwork in anthropology is like watching a movie with the sound off. In fieldwork, the anthropologist is often in a situation where s/he understands neither the language nor the local customs. Nonverbal communication, and the anthropologist's interpretation of it, becomes the first route to understanding the culture. Viewing a motion picture with the sound off can give a glimpse of the value of non-verbal communication and how one's cultural background can affect one's interpretation.