"Listen Carefully to the Voices of the Birds": A Comparative Review of Birds as Signs

Journal of Ethnobiology • Vol/Iss. 38(4) • Society of Ethnobiology • • Published In • Pages: 533-549 •
By Wyndham, Felice S., Park, Karen E.

Abstract

This article conducts a cross-cultural, comparative review of whether birds are bearers of signs using eHRAF World Cultures and published articles. The researchers first examine whether birds are thought of as signifiers and the mode of sign delivery be it voice, presence, or behavior. They also investigate whether biocultural salience is more indicative of passerines, near-passerines, or non-passerines.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
eHRAF World CulturesResearcher's own
OtherResearcher's own

Hypotheses (2)

HypothesisSupported
Birds will be considered to be signifiers cross-culturally.Supported
Passerines will be more common sign-vehicles than near-passerines and non-passerines.Not Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: milagro.escobar  anj.droe