Portraits of 'the Whiteman'. Linguistic Play and Cultural Symbols among the Western Apache

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Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
Author: Keith H. Basso
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: 1979-08-31
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Label: Cambridge University Press
Number Of Pages: 144

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Editorial Review
'The Whiteman' is one of the most powerful and pervasive symbols in contemporary American Indian cultures. Portraits of 'the Whiteman': linguistic play and cultural symbols among the Western Apache investigates a complex form of joking in which Apaches stage carefully crafted imitations of Anglo-Americans and, by means of these characterizations, give audible voice and visible substance to their conceptions of this most pressing of social 'problems'. Keith Basso's essay, based on linguistic and ethnographic materials collected in Cibecue, a Western Apache community, provides interpretations of selected joking encounters to demonstrate how Apaches go about making sense of the behaviour of Anglo-Americans. The portraits developed in these texts are understood as models of Whitemen and for dealing with Whitemen created by Apaches for Apaches. More obliquely, they also express Apaches' conception of themselves, for 'the Whiteman' has long been a symbol of what 'the Apache' is not. This study draws on current theory in symbolic anthropology, sociolinguistics, and the dramaturgical model of human communication developed by Erving Goffman. Although the assumptions and premises that shape these areas of inquiry are held by some to be quite disparate, this analysis shows them to be fully compatible and mutually complementary. In order to make explicit the meanings of joking texts, Basso examines in detail the abstract principles, both linguistic and nonlinguistic, for constructing and interpreting joking imitations in the context of face-to-face encounters. An exercise in cultural interpretation, this essay is also a study of ethnographic theory, the anthropology of play, American Indian humor, and the function of ethic boundaries in the everyday life of a modern Western Apache community.
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Customer Reviews

Polysyllabic propensity of author deadens peruser

2007-10-01
I am required to read this book for a Cultural Anthropology class and have found it to be a monumental bore.
First off is Basso's tendency to use unnecessarily complicated wording to say what could easily be said with simple and straight forward terminology. The reader should not be forced to repeatedly consult a dictionary to know what is being said. Two examples would be "concomitantly" on page 17, and "suprasegmental" (I had to consult three dictionaries in the school library before finding the meaning, and if you want to know what it is, look it up your own dang self, like I had to) which is to be found on page 55. The author's use of terms that are native to those he is studying is fine since the author gives an explanation of the words meaning; the use of overly polysyllabic words however smack of showing off. I get enough of that when I try to read George Will's column thank you very much.
Next is Basso's attempt to analyze humor; if you wish to eliminate the humor from a given joke just analyze that puppy and before you know it the joke is no longer funny.
Finally I take exception to the assertion that racist humor aimed at caucasions is not racist. On page 37 we are informed that the jokes are not intended to be "slurs, criticisms, and insults." If one were to take this position with a group of rednecks making similar "interpretations" about members of another ethnic group, people would be justly appalled. Racism is where any group of people, of any skin color, is stereotyped. The way to eliminate racism is to acknowledge it when and where it is found. Had Basso simply noted that it was racist at its base then there would be no problem.
The one good thing about this book is that it does properly point out the basic differences from one culture to another concerning how people interact, and how this can lead to misunderstandings.

Excellent source for qualitative research methods

2002-06-18
Basso is one of the premier ethnographers in the U.S. His studies of the Western Apache are excellent models for how to do good ethnography. More importantly, Native American students in my classes find this book to be a faithful depiction of communication among many Native peoples.

Excellent tool for understanding

2000-06-08
"Portraits" allows for an insider's view of a social practice virtually unknown outside of anthropological cricles. Concise, and written with an economy of language, the author manages to relate the topic without sliding into the boredom of dry essay. Humor is hard to study, and harder to write about, without killing the joke. Basso actually made me laugh out loud.