Physical anthropology

Physical anthropology

Living organisms have changed tremendously over time in different aspects. These changes may have occurred internally in their biological make-up or as a response to changes in their ecology. Evolution is the gradual change in the characteristics of various individual biological species of living organisms over time. In studying evolution, other disciplines such as biology, sociology among others are instrumental in providing vital information that can help us understand what triggered the evolutionary response of human beings to changes occurring in their internal and external environment.

Physical anthropology is a branch of anthropology whose focus is on the origin of human beings, their evolution, the differences among them, and how they have adapted to the changes occurring in their environment. It investigates how these changes have contributed to the survival and reproduction of the human species (Tuttle, 2018). Physical anthropology is also referred to as biological anthropology.

Physical anthropologists investigate evolution using various ways by focusing on different research areas. In explaining the differences present among the human population, physical anthropologists also study past fossils of nonhuman primate and hominin populations through Palaeoanthropology. They research the behavior of living people with relation to previous human populations and its significance, as well as the biological and genetic origin of human behavior (Tuttle, 2018). The findings obtained from these studies are used to compare the way of life of different population groups throughout the years so as to assess evolutionary transformations. In the present day, Forensic anthropologists use some of the research on skeletal biology to help identify and analyze individuals who have recently passed on.

Life History Evolution is a research project carried out by Arizona State University, Institute of Human Origins, whose focus is on the ‘evolutionary foundations of human uniqueness’ (Arizona State University, n.d). The project investigates the history of the evolution of the human being by comparing studies done on dental development. The project aims to ascertain the precise ecological setting that propels variations in growth by analyzing data on the appearance of the molar. It gives us an understanding of why and how hominins decided to make a shift towards an extended period of infantile growth and why they deferred their beginning of reproduction, as well as how this supported social and mental learning skills that are essential aspects unique to humans.

Communication and language are vital to the human race. Human beings use language to connect and know where to fit in. We use language to verbally communicate essential information about our history and cultural identity that we pass on to our descendants. Our language also helps us understand our culture and past from our predecessors. Proper use of language in communication can foster cooperation and growth as people can understand each other. The opposite is accurate as it can lead to misunderstandings, which can be quite detrimental to the progress of society.

Linguistic anthropology is a subfield of anthropology that studies communication methods, with a focus on language in particular, and their role as used in social life. It is the analysis of languages used all over the world. Linguistic anthropology also helps us understand how linguistics is applied in the study of anthropology to comprehend culture (Explorable.com, 2015) better.

Linguistic anthropologists comparatively analyze the relationship between culture and language and how language influences changes in societal norms and values. They investigate the variations in different languages as used all around the world to understand why they exist, their use, and what they mean when used in various contexts. Other modes of communication are also included in the study of linguistic anthropology. Linguistic anthropologists also study civilizations in which language identifies their culture and its relationship to how they socialize (Richard, 2020).

Miyako Inoue is a researcher with previous experience as a co-editor of the Journal of Linguistic Anthropology. She works on Japanese linguistic ideology and is currently researching a project that investigates the ‘social history of “verbatim”’ in Japanese. In her study, she tracks down the historical progress of the Japanese shorthand skill employed in the Diet for its trial proceedings dating back to the late 19th century, and of the stenographic typewriter introduced for use after World War II in the Japanese court to record trial proceedings. The interest of the project lies in studying how to connect with others by learning their speech and language. Miyako looks at how the logic of such methods of commitment can be understood as the knowhow of a specific form of governance known as liberal governance (Stanford Department of Anthropology, n.d). This research project helps us understand how time and outside influence can cause variations or differences in language and culture. It also shows how different words have evolved and how different words can be used to convey the same meaning in various contexts.

Physical anthropology investigates the biological changes that occur in humans over time, while linguistic anthropology focuses on the development of languages used within society. Physical anthropology studies human beings while linguistic anthropology studies how human beings use language in their socialization. Linguistic anthropology uses information on linguistics to describe social and cultural trends, while biological anthropology is concerned with the origins and evolution of human beings.

Both physical and linguistic anthropology investigate the changes in human society and how these changes have contributed to the evolution of the human being. They both analyze the history of human beings by striving to understand them and their society. Physical and linguistic anthropology both explore what caused changes occurring in human society.

Initially, I thought that evolution was only concerned with the biological and historical changes of the human species. Archeology, being the most widely known branch of evolution, was all I knew about evolution. However, now I know that there is more to it. I have come to know that for us to understand how human beings have evolved over the years fully, it is crucial to recognize that these changes did not only happen to their anatomy alone but also to their culture, language, and cultural history. With this in mind, one can comprehend how the different branches of anthropology interdependently contribute to the study of evolution. In studying evolution, other disciplines such as biology, sociology among others are instrumental in providing vital information that can help us understand what triggered the evolutionary response of human beings to changes occurring both in the internal and external environment.

References

Arizona State University (n.d). “Life History Evolution: The evolution of human life histories—Comparative studies of dental development.” Retrieved on February 1, 2020, from https://iho.asu.edu/research/templeton/life-history-evolution

Explorable.com (July 7, 2015). “Linguistic Anthropology”. Retrieved on February 1, 2020, from https://explorable.com/linguistic-anthropology

Nordquist, Richard. (January 29, 2020). “What Is Linguistic Anthropology?” Retrieved on February 1, 2020, from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-linguistic-anthropology-1691240

Russell Howard Tuttle (February 22, 2018) “Physical anthropology”. Retrieved on February 1, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/science/physical-anthropology

Stanford Department of Anthropology (n.d). “Linguistic Anthropology” Retrieved on February 1, 2020, from https://anthropology.stanford.edu/research-projects/linguistic-anthropology