Theorizing the Americanist Tradition

Contributions From Twenty-Five Distinguished Scholars Are Brought together here to provide a comprehensive, accessible, state of the art appraisal of interdisciplinary research at the boundaries of anthropology, linguistics and Native Studies. The collection seeks to correct the prevailing notion that the Americanist tradition in anthropology. (typified by Franz Boas and his colleagues) is a theoretical.Participants in this dialogue accepted the challenge of making their underlying theoretical assumptions explicit. The papers range from the history of anthropology and linguistics to present innovations within this tradition. Issues of authenticity lead to examination of changing traditions in text and literacy in linguistics and education, and in emerging contemporary discourse spanning the Americas.

The volume is framed by Coyote, the quintessential American trickster who is the inspiration for much of the volume’s play with tradition and change, with the construction of identity through discourse, and with the interaction of Americanists and First Nations/Native American communities. Remarks on the future of the Americanist tradition forms a critical part of this collection.

The collection pioneers in juxtaposing Canadian and American theoretical work on language and revitalizes a shared tradition centred around the study of meaning. Readers are invited to enter this open-ended and vibrant Americanist discourse.