Dell Hymes
Early Life and Education
Dell Hathaway Hymes was born on June 7, 1927, in Portland, Oregon. He developed an interest in anthropology and linguistics at an early age. Hymes completed his undergraduate studies at Reed College in Portland, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Anthropology in 1950. He then pursued his graduate studies at Indiana University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Linguistics in 1955.
Career and Contributions
Hymes began his academic career as a faculty member at Harvard University, where he taught anthropology and linguistics. He later moved to the University of Pennsylvania, where he served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Hymes is best known for his work in the field of ethnography and sociolinguistics, particularly his development of the concept of communicative competence.
Communicative competence refers to the ability of a speaker to use language appropriately in a social context. This concept expanded upon Noam Chomsky's idea of grammatical competence, which focused solely on the structural aspects of language. Hymes argued that understanding a language involves more than just knowing its grammar and vocabulary; it also involves understanding the cultural and social norms that govern its use.
Hymes also made significant contributions to the field of ethnopoetics, a method of transcribing and analyzing oral literature to preserve its cultural context and performance elements. His work in this area helped to establish ethnopoetics as a recognized discipline within anthropology and linguistics.
Theory of Communicative Competence
Hymes' theory of communicative competence was a groundbreaking contribution to the field of sociolinguistics. He proposed that in order to communicate effectively, speakers need not only grammatical competence, but also sociolinguistic competence, discourse competence, and strategic competence.
Sociolinguistic competence refers to the ability to use language appropriately in different social contexts, while discourse competence involves the ability to understand and produce coherent and cohesive conversations. Strategic competence, on the other hand, involves the use of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to compensate for breakdowns in communication or to enhance the effectiveness of the communication.
Hymes' theory of communicative competence has had a profound influence on language education, leading to a shift in focus from teaching grammar rules to teaching language use in context.
Ethnopoetics
Hymes' work in ethnopoetics involved the transcription and analysis of Native American oral literature. He developed a method of transcription that preserved the performance elements of the oral literature, such as rhythm, tempo, and intonation. This method allowed for a more accurate representation of the oral literature in written form, preserving its cultural context and performance elements.
Hymes' work in ethnopoetics has been influential in the fields of anthropology, linguistics, and literary studies, contributing to a greater understanding and appreciation of oral literature and its cultural significance.
Legacy
Dell Hymes passed away on November 13, 2009, but his contributions to the fields of anthropology and linguistics continue to be influential. His theory of communicative competence has shaped language education practices around the world, and his work in ethnopoetics has contributed to a greater understanding and appreciation of oral literature.
Hymes' work has also inspired further research in the fields of sociolinguistics and ethnopoetics, and his ideas continue to be relevant in contemporary discussions about language, culture, and communication.