Part of a series that offers mainly linguistic and anthropological research and teaching/learning material on a region of great cultural and strategic interest and importance in the post-Soviet era.

The task of the anthropologist is to take ideas, concepts and beliefs from one culture and translate them into first another language, and then into the language of anthropology. This process is both fascinating and complex. Not only does it raise questions about the limitations of language, but it also challenges the ability of the anthropologist to communicate culture accurately. In recent years, postmodern theories have tended to call into question the legitimacy of translation altogether. This book acknowledges the problems involved, but shows definitively that 'translating cultures' can successfully be achieved. The way we talk, write, read and interpret are all part of a translation process. Many of us are not aware of translation in our everyday lives, but for those living outside their native culture, surrounded by cultural difference, the ability to translate experiences and thoughts becomes a major issue. Drawing on case studies and theories from a wide range of disciplines -including anthropology, philosophy, linguistics, art history, folk theory, and religious studies - this book systematically interrogates the meaning, complexities and importance of translation in anthropology and answers a wide range of provocative questions, such as: - Can we unravel the true meaning of the Christian doctrine of trinity when there have been so many translations? - What impact do colonial and postcolonial power structures have on our understanding of other cultures? - How can we use art as a means of transgressing the limitations of linguistic translation? Translating Cultures: Perspectives on Translation and Anthropology is the first book fully to address translation in anthropology. It combines textual and ethnographic analysis to produce a benchmark publication that will be of great importance to anthropologists, philosophers, linguists, historians, and cultural theorists alike.

The task of the anthropologist is to take ideas, concepts and beliefs from one culture and translate them into first another language, and then into the language of anthropology. This process is both fascinating and complex. Not only does it raise questions about the limitations of language, but it also challenges the ability of the anthropologist to communicate culture accurately. In recent years, postmodern theories have tended to call into question the legitimacy of translation altogether. This book acknowledges the problems involved, but shows definitively that 'translating cultures' can successfully be achieved. The way we talk, write, read and interpret are all part of a translation process. Many of us are not aware of translation in our everyday lives, but for those living outside their native culture, surrounded by cultural difference, the ability to translate experiences and thoughts becomes a major issue. Drawing on case studies and theories from a wide range of disciplines -including anthropology, philosophy, linguistics, art history, folk theory, and religious studies - this book systematically interrogates the meaning, complexities and importance of translation in anthropology and answers a wide range of provocative questions, such as: - Can we unravel the true meaning of the Christian doctrine of trinity when there have been so many translations? - What impact do colonial and postcolonial power structures have on our understanding of other cultures? - How can we use art as a means of transgressing the limitations of linguistic translation? Translating Cultures: Perspectives on Translation and Anthropology is the first book fully to address translation in anthropology. It combines textual and ethnographic analysis to produce a benchmark publication that will be of great importance to anthropologists, philosophers, linguists, historians, and cultural theorists alike.

When we think about society and culture, often we think of our own culture - the culture in which we were raised or currently live - as the default. The eleventh edition of The Tapestry of Culture uses anthropological tools to translate the concepts, ideas, and behaviors of other cultures into language recognizable by today's students. The book's comparative approach balances the history of ethnography, fieldwork, and anthropological with today's globalized world, including the impact of climate change, social movements, social media and technology, global health issues, and shifting political landscapes. New to the Eleventh Edition New Chapter 12, "Global Health and Wellness," examines the historical, political, and cultural issues that shape disease and health including inequalities in access to physical and mental health services, the delivery of health care services, and health intervention strategies New Chapter 11, "Spaces and Places of Creative Expression," explores how social media and internet technologies play a major role in how contemporary audiences view and understand creativity including music, dance, theater, film, painting and other performance styles Expanded discussion of the cultural construction of gender and sexuality, as well as LGBTQ issues in activism explores gender and sexuality through queer studies and in postcolonial settings (Chapter 7) New discussion of critical race theory highlights its contributions to analyzing multiple forms of racism and discrimination while providing an exploration of the challenges of multiculturalism in contexts of nationality, ethnicity, and political representation (Chapter 14) New discussions of environmental anthropology, political ecology, climate change inequality, social movements, globalization, and transnationalism highlight these contemporary issues as subjects of anthropological inquiry (Chapter 1)

When we think about society and culture, often we think of our own culture - the culture in which we were raised or currently live - as the default. The eleventh edition of The Tapestry of Culture uses anthropological tools to translate the concepts, ideas, and behaviors of other cultures into language recognizable by today's students. The book's comparative approach balances the history of ethnography, fieldwork, and anthropological with today's globalized world, including the impact of climate change, social movements, social media and technology, global health issues, and shifting political landscapes. New to the Eleventh Edition New Chapter 12, "Global Health and Wellness," examines the historical, political, and cultural issues that shape disease and health including inequalities in access to physical and mental health services, the delivery of health care services, and health intervention strategies New Chapter 11, "Spaces and Places of Creative Expression," explores how social media and internet technologies play a major role in how contemporary audiences view and understand creativity including music, dance, theater, film, painting and other performance styles Expanded discussion of the cultural construction of gender and sexuality, as well as LGBTQ issues in activism explores gender and sexuality through queer studies and in postcolonial settings (Chapter 7) New discussion of critical race theory highlights its contributions to analyzing multiple forms of racism and discrimination while providing an exploration of the challenges of multiculturalism in contexts of nationality, ethnicity, and political representation (Chapter 14) New discussions of environmental anthropology, political ecology, climate change inequality, social movements, globalization, and transnationalism highlight these contemporary issues as subjects of anthropological inquiry (Chapter 1)