The Ethnography Project Assignment

ENG 4010
The Ethnography Project Assignment
Ethnography is the recording of observations. The subjects of the recordings draw upon social interactions and relationships, hence, the close association of ethnography with sociology.
Instructions
For this project, you will select a socio-linguistic group—a specific community of language users. Your task is to observe 1) the arena(s) of language use, and 2) record examples of miscommunication.
Selection of a Socio-Linguistic Community
Identify a venue from which you can observe a group of people unknown or unfamiliar to you. For this project (given the objectives of the course), they should be speakers of English. For example, the place may be a restaurant, a mall, a church or place of worship (not your own), a business or store, an educational setting, a sporting event, a senior citizen community, a hair salon, etc.
Activity
Identify key words, phrases, and expressions reflected in their discussions or conversations. Jot down just the key words, phrases, and expressions that occur in their discussion or conversation. Notice how conversations commence, linguistic expressions (space fillers, expletives, idioms, and kinetic-linguistic expressions—“high fives, for example, and other idiosyncratic features of language use associated with the group).
Listen specifically for examples of miscommunications. Note the language expressed and language reactions that indicated the miscommunication.
Composing the Report
Drawing upon your observations and notes, include the following