Faculty Sponsor(s)
Hillary Crane
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library
Subject Area
Anthropology
Description
For this project, I compiled literature reviews to support Professor Hillary Crane’s research into Taiwanese Buddhist nuns’ gender transformations. This literature covers several themes pertinent to that research, including gender construction, the transformative nature of metaphor, and the potential role of speech acts in cultural change. Beginning with gender constructions and the possibilities of gender transformation of women, this literature reviews how gender is constructed in Asian cultures, particularly China and Taiwan, and how women work to accomplish gender transformations in these contexts. Secondly, this research examines theories about how metaphors are utilized in discourse, showing some of the functions of metaphors in culture (for example, within an argument), particularly to shape perceptions. Lastly, this research explores how speech acts can work to transform a person’s status or identity. The topics of gender, metaphors, and speech acts are all crucial components of Crane’s research into Taiwanese Buddhist nuns’ gender transformation and will be presented in relation to the understanding of the ultimate goal of changing from one gender to another.
Recommended Citation
Gonzalez, Gabriela I., "A Review of the Literatures of Gender Transformation, Metaphor, and Speech Acts in Anthropology" (2014). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 55.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2014/all/55
A Review of the Literatures of Gender Transformation, Metaphor, and Speech Acts in Anthropology
Jereld R. Nicholson Library
For this project, I compiled literature reviews to support Professor Hillary Crane’s research into Taiwanese Buddhist nuns’ gender transformations. This literature covers several themes pertinent to that research, including gender construction, the transformative nature of metaphor, and the potential role of speech acts in cultural change. Beginning with gender constructions and the possibilities of gender transformation of women, this literature reviews how gender is constructed in Asian cultures, particularly China and Taiwan, and how women work to accomplish gender transformations in these contexts. Secondly, this research examines theories about how metaphors are utilized in discourse, showing some of the functions of metaphors in culture (for example, within an argument), particularly to shape perceptions. Lastly, this research explores how speech acts can work to transform a person’s status or identity. The topics of gender, metaphors, and speech acts are all crucial components of Crane’s research into Taiwanese Buddhist nuns’ gender transformation and will be presented in relation to the understanding of the ultimate goal of changing from one gender to another.
