Linguistic ethnography serves as a methodological approach for examining various discourse traditions and epistemological frameworks within distinct linguistic contexts. Ethnographic research methodologies commence with a critique of essentialist representations of social life and engage in a critical inquiry into the socially shared structural patterns of communication and action. This examination is conducted specifically within a pedagogical linguistic context. Ethnography typically seeks to uncover the meaning and rationality inherent in social practices, endeavoring to abstract some of the structuring features of a lifeworld. Ethnography calls for an attentive consideration of the “delicacy of its distinctions [rather than] the sweep of its abstractions” (Geertz 1973, p. 25) by ‘making the strange familiar and the familiar strange’ (Geertz 1973) in as concrete terms as possible: “[…] the particular circumstances surrounding a case [are supposed to] serve to make previously obscure theoretical relationships suddenly apparent” (Mitchell 1984, p. 239). Accordingly, the linguistic ethnography perspective refers to the critique of essentialist accounts of social life. Rampton et al. (2004, p. 2) explain that, instead, “[…] language and social life are mutually shaping, and that close analysis of situated language use can provide both fundamental and distinctive insights into the mechanisms and dynamics of social and cultural production in everyday activity.” How can one, despite this relativity, acquire evidence that yields generalizable insights? Linguistic ethnography serves as a method to assist researchers in delving deeper into the ethnographic description of social, pedagogical, and institutional processes (Shaw et al., 2015). For ethnographers, combining their work with linguistics offers a chance to focus on specific moments in everyday life and to provide detailed analysis of small instances of social practice. Language, regarded as a universal attribute among humans, exhibits variation across social groups and evolves over time. Methodologically, linguistic ethnography isolates and abstracts recurrent and socially shared structural patterns in communication, thereby facilitating a detailed examination of the highly intricate processes involved when individuals engage in communication. The empirical foundation of linguistics directs researchers toward data, specifically through comprehensive linguistic and ethnographic analyses that enable them to evidence analytic claims. At the same time, linguistic ethnography is embracing the openness inherent in ethnography and distancing itself from the rigor and neatness characteristic of its disciplinary traditions.

Geertz, C. 1973: The Interpretation of Cultures. Selected Essays. New York: Basic Books. Mitchell, J. Clyde 1984: Case studies. In: Ellen, Roy (ed.): Ethnographic Research: A Guide to General Conduct. London, 237-241. Rampton, Ben; Tusting, Karin; Maybin, Janet; Barwell, Richard; Creese, Angela & Valli Lytra (2004): UK Linguistic Ethnography: A Discussion Paper, Unpublished. (2) UK linguistic ethnography: A discussion paper 2004 | Ben Rampton - Academia.edu [23-12-10). Shaw, Sara; Copland, Fion; Snell, Julia (2015): An Introduction to Linguistic Ethnography: Interdisciplinary Explorations. In: Shaw, Sara; Copland, Fion; Snell, Julia (eds.): Linguistic Ethnography: Interdisciplinary Explorations. Basingstoke, 1-13.