Decolonizing Knowledge devices De Costa Marques (2021)
An interesting paper in parts where it it discusses the purpose of ethnographic devices to ask pertinent questions on a situation or topic and in evaluating if the policy or framework is fit for purpose.
Da Costa Marques (2021) talks about not being able to create knowledge without intervening, which shows the stark difference in ethnographic methodologies in comparison to ‘Naive’ styles whereby the observer would make very direct notes on what is unfolding.
Da Costa Marques talks about creating a broad knowledge base, a “ panoramic exhibition of your territory”, this can be made from conversation, text, media and other theories on the given subject.
Ethnographic methodology can seem like a free for all and a little like the academic “Wild West” according to De Costa Marques.
The varying styles all have the end goal of creating a wider understanding of a subject and in this paper we look at the language used, is the process of ethnographic research still subject to colonial influence due to English being the dominant language of academia.
Is the observational report influenced through linguistic nuances that will vary the meaning subtly between languages, I think this is very possible even differing dialects could affect this in language when I read information or story written in Scots and English, two similar languages with common roots. The general feel is different even when writing about the same subject, but perhaps for the conveying of information across international borders we simply need some continuity whereby we don’t get lost in translation and the overall information gets across.
Da Costa Marques’s paper and methodology reads as a efficient transferring of information and means only for the information gathered to be of the richest content and understanding but perhaps initial reports, ‘Root’ reports should be slightly more naive to resist our own influence and bias being introduced.
In relation to my own ARP I will encourage an ethnographic look at my own suggestions for prompting questions for my framework.
Is my Northern European background showing through with my approach ?
Is this negated by the diverse cohort of student that will ultimately take on the role of making these observational reports?
Refrences
Decolonizing Knowledge devices – De Costa Marques (2021)