Dissertation Research: Polysemy in Navajo Methology

这一论文研究奖将支持一位文化人类学家对纳瓦霍印第安人保留地的语言和人种学研究。该项目将调查一个语言术语的意义，该术语表示抽象的创造原则，即“非恒常”和“纳瓦霍神话人物”，以及“berdache”(指采用异性的行为、着装和/或性偏好的美洲原住民)。方法将包括语言和人种学访谈，对医学人员以及被Nadleeh一词识别的人进行采访，以及档案研究。这项研究将增加我们对“berdache”的了解，这是美国原住民文化中已经被清楚理解的重要元素。此外，了解社区对这些问题的理解和价值观可以帮助区域卫生专家了解美洲原住民的性行为，这有助于制定与文化相关的艾滋病预防战略。

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.