Dissertation Research: Speech Styles and Educational Discourse Among the Bolivian Aymara

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This project supports the dissertation research of a student of linguistic anthropology from the University of Texas. THe project studies speech styles in rural Indian education in highland Bolivia to test the hypothesis that local Indian school teachers are trained in speech styles radically different from those of the Indian homes. This creates a communicative barrier between teachers and students in the elementary classroom, despite the similarity of ethnic background of teachers and students. Methods include ethnographic observation in classrooms and homes, and videotaped speech interactions and audio-taped interviews. Analysis will target participant cultural structures and interactional rules using an "ethnography of speaking" approach. This research is important because multicultural education is increasing in many countries as ethnic consciousness is heightened. Understanding the nature of ethnically-based linguistic problems between teachers and children will help educational planners design programs to maximize the potential for success in formal education of subordinated groups.