Ethnographic Quandaries and Everyday Life Puzzles: Bakhtin and the Study of Others
Author(s)
Herold, David
Abstract
Drawing on Bakhtin’s writings on representation and dialogue, a critical look is taken on the application of debate during fieldwork. If academic debate lacks openness and the space to change one’s mind, what does this say for the manner in which we engage with the people we do research with during fieldwork? It is argued that both elements of participant-observation make it impossible to achieve dialogue; to do so involves outlining and arguing our opinions and judgments together with the people whom we research, even if this sometimes leads to disagreement. Starting a first draft of a write-up while in the field and using this as a departure for discussion is put forward as one means of achieving such an exchange of opinion.
