Relatively Ethical: A Comparison of Linguistic Research Paradigms in Alaska and Indonesia

Finished · Language Documentation

Summary

Holton discusses ethics in linguistic fieldwork, particularly regarding community-centered research, in which the needs of the community are central to the goals of the research project. The main conclusion Holton draws is that, based on his fieldwork in different parts of the world (Alaska and Indonesia), ethical fieldwork can look different depending on the part of the world you are in. In some places, the ocmmunity will want to be in the driver's seat, not wanting the researcher to be extractive and profit at the expense of the community. In other communities, the researcher's work brings prestige to the community and there is nothing wrong, and it is even seen as right, for the researcher to lead and profit from the project, as long as the community profits as well.