Dissertation Research: Polysemy in Navajo Methology

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This dissertation research award will support the linguistic and ethnographic research of a cultural anthropologist on the Navajo Indian reservation. The project will investigate the significance of a linguistic term denoting the abstract creation principle of "non-constancy" as well as "Navajo mythological figures", and "berdache" (meaning Native Americans who adopt the behavior, dress, and/or sexual preferences of the opposite sex). Methods will include linguistic and ethnographic interviews with medicine people as well as people identified by the term ("nadleeh"), and archival research. This research will add to our knowledge of "berdache", and important element of Native American culture that has been clearly understood. In addition knowledge of the community understanding and values on these issues can help regional health specialists to understand Native American sexual behavior, which can help develop culturally relevant AIDS prevention strategies.