article
Hocus pocus and extensionism in Central Malaya: notes on Semai kinship terminology
American Anthropologist • 72 (2) • Published In 1970 • Pages: 358-362
By: Dentan, Robert Knox.
Abstract
This paper presents a componential analysis of the kinship terminology of two groups of Senoi (Semai) studied by the author – termed eastern and western in this source. According to Dentan the eastern group were far less acculturated to the predominant Malay society than were the western Semai. A comparison of the terminology of the two groups, in light of Semai rules regarding proper terminological usage, seems to indicate several inconsistencies which suggest “…that a modified componential analysis conforms to the cognitive categories of the Semai if the extensionist hypothesis that terms have both primary and derived meaning is taken into account” (p. 358-A)." The exposition of this line of reasoning makes up the major bulk of this source.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2012
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- Southeast Asia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle; 1989
- Field Date
- 1962-1963
- Coverage Date
- 1962-1963
- Coverage Place
- central Malay Peninsula
- Notes
- Robert Knox Dentan
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 362)
- LCCN
- 17015424
- LCSH
- Senoi (Southeast Asian people)