Dell Hymes

Anthropology American 1927 – 2009 99 quotes

A prominent linguistic anthropologist who developed the SPEAKING model for analyzing communicative events and the ethnography of communication.

Quotes by Dell Hymes

Language is not just about conveying information, but also about establishing and maintaining social relationships.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

The study of language use is crucial for understanding social organization.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

Ethnography provides a rich description of communicative practices.

Language in Education: Ethnolinguistic Essays 1980

The 'ways of speaking' are culturally specific.

The Ethnography of Speaking 1962

Language is a tool for constructing social reality.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

The study of language in its natural settings is paramount.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

Communicative competence involves knowing what to say, to whom, and when.

On Communicative Competence 1972

The ethnography of communication offers a holistic approach to language study.

Toward Ethnographies of Communication 1964

Language is a dynamic and evolving phenomenon.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

The study of language must account for variation and diversity.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

The SPEAKING model is a heuristic for understanding communicative events.

On Communicative Competence 1972

Language is deeply intertwined with identity.

Language in Education: Ethnolinguistic Essays 1980

The analysis of discourse reveals underlying social structures.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

Communicative competence is a form of cultural knowledge.

On Communicative Competence 1972

The ethnography of speaking provides a framework for cross-cultural comparison.

The Ethnography of Speaking 1962

Language is a powerful tool for social control and resistance.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

The study of language must be grounded in empirical observation.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

The concept of 'genre' is important for understanding communicative practices.

On Communicative Competence 1972

Language is a reflection of cultural values and beliefs.

Foundations in Sociolinguistics: An Ethnographic Approach 1974

The ethnographer seeks to understand the native's point of view.

Language in Education: Ethnolinguistic Essays 1980