The Trobriand Islanders' ways of speaking

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Bronislaw Malinowski asserted that effective ethnographic fieldwork requires a collection of ethnographic statements and documents reflecting native mentality. This book fulfills that demand through over 40 months of field research, showcasing the Trobriand Islanders' indigenous typology of text categories, from children's chants to gossip, songs, tales, and myths. The typology is grounded in Kilivila metalinguistic terms and explores their relationship with various registers distinguished by native speakers. Rooted in the 'ethnography of speaking' and 'anthropological linguistics' paradigms, the work emphasizes the significance of genres in understanding language, culture, and cognition within social interactions, highlighting their role in achieving linguistic and cultural competence. Additionally, readers can access original audio and video data via a dedicated website, allowing them to compare transcriptions with actual recordings. This feature enhances the book’s value for teaching in various linguistic and ethnological disciplines, making it a vital resource for educators and researchers alike.