Emiv VS. Etic Essay
Alicia Raczkowski
February 8, 2014
ANTH 154
Emic VS. Etic Essay
Emic: The research strategy that focuses on local explanations and criteria of significance. Etic: The research strategy that emphasizes the ethnographer’s rather than the local’s explanation, categories, and criteria of significance.
My first example is Celebratory Food. The Emic view in this example is that food is the center piece of almost all celebratory get togehters. No matter where you live, when there is a celebration, like holidays, birthdays, rites of passage, etc., they will most likely be serving food. The Etic view in this example is that I am from the South, and we celebrate with different types of food then the North or the West or even another country would. When we have an occasion worth celebrating and cooking, we make Chicken, cornbread, oysters, greens, salad and sweet tea! In other portions of the world though, their celebrations may include, sushi, tamales, kobayashi beef, or….DOG!
My second example is Raising Children. The Emic view in this example is that children are born and either one or two parents raise them. This happens in every culture all over the world, how different cultures raise these children brings me to the Etic view of this example. Being born and raised in South Carolina, some of the first few words that come out of our mouths are Mr. or Mrs. We are raised to be southern ladies and gentlemen. On the other hand we are encouraged to hunt, climb trees, and play in the mud as well. I received my first shotgun when I was thirteen. In other countries though, like in our Being Raised in Canela video, little boys as young as two or three are given machetes and taught to fight and hunt for their lives, and it’s perfectly normal.
There is seeing the big picture, and then there is being a small piece in the big picture and looking out. That’s the difference between Emic and Etic.
February 8, 2014
ANTH 154
Emic VS. Etic Essay
Emic: The research strategy that focuses on local explanations and criteria of significance. Etic: The research strategy that emphasizes the ethnographer’s rather than the local’s explanation, categories, and criteria of significance.
My first example is Celebratory Food. The Emic view in this example is that food is the center piece of almost all celebratory get togehters. No matter where you live, when there is a celebration, like holidays, birthdays, rites of passage, etc., they will most likely be serving food. The Etic view in this example is that I am from the South, and we celebrate with different types of food then the North or the West or even another country would. When we have an occasion worth celebrating and cooking, we make Chicken, cornbread, oysters, greens, salad and sweet tea! In other portions of the world though, their celebrations may include, sushi, tamales, kobayashi beef, or….DOG!
My second example is Raising Children. The Emic view in this example is that children are born and either one or two parents raise them. This happens in every culture all over the world, how different cultures raise these children brings me to the Etic view of this example. Being born and raised in South Carolina, some of the first few words that come out of our mouths are Mr. or Mrs. We are raised to be southern ladies and gentlemen. On the other hand we are encouraged to hunt, climb trees, and play in the mud as well. I received my first shotgun when I was thirteen. In other countries though, like in our Being Raised in Canela video, little boys as young as two or three are given machetes and taught to fight and hunt for their lives, and it’s perfectly normal.
There is seeing the big picture, and then there is being a small piece in the big picture and looking out. That’s the difference between Emic and Etic.