Language versus Culture

A while ago we read an article about how the nuances of different languages are misunderstood by those that are not native speakers of the language. The author discussed how there are two different ways to learn a language. We can understand the grammar and the tenses and the punctuation as well as any native speaker, but still miss basic social cues. For example, the author talks about the two ways you can say "you" in Austrian. At a party, he uses the wrong one and gets disgusted looks from the people he's with. He knew what word meant "you", but because of constantly changing circumstances, he didn't know which one to use at which time. Fortunately, the people at the party were very forgiving once they understood his dilemma. When they tried to explain which word was used when, however, they found themselves confused. It was a concept they'd grown up with their whole life and had never really questioned. Those of us who speak only English are confused by the discreet subtleties.

Being an intermediate Spanish speaker, I found this story amusing. It wasn't until my last Tongan language class that I recognized what this could mean outside of the language itself. We talked about the cultural significance of kava. For some it is considered solely a cultural drink and signifies becoming an adult. Kava is reverenced and is only drunk during important events. For others it is looked down upon because of its narcotic quality. It can break families apart by keeping fathers from their homes. Because of how big a part of their culture it is, it's important to understand the two sides of the controversy.

The Tongan culture is obviously a lot more than just their language. There are things about their culture that cannot be understood except by those who have grown up with it. So if I can, I should learn about and understand ideas specific to the Tongan culture. Initially, in my Tongan language class, I was not excited to learn about the culture of the community and was more interested in understanding the language. However, this article helped me to see that there are more important things than grammar and speech.

Americana

While talking about the history of Tonga, we discussed the fact that the country employs a monarchy. In more recent years, a democratic party has been formed and a strong push for democracy has been implemented. The popularity for democracy has caused a small rift in the people of Tonga. Some believe that a democracy is necessary for everyone to be represented equally. Other's prefer the side of tradition and habit and think that because they are doing well with a king, there is no need for change.

I think that sometimes as Americans we assume only democracy works. But the argument isn't that black and white. There are different forms of government all around the world and, for the most part, the citizens of all kinds of regimes are happy. We should remember that the American way isn't the only way. And this doesn't apply solely to government organizations. It can range from the way we cook food or the shoes we wear. So, it is important to remember that while traveling abroad, we cannot force our opinions or ideas on people. I kind of doubt this would happen, but I don't doubt that some people look down their noses at others' ways of doing things. That is a mistake.

Microcosms of Society

During our last class as a large group, we talked about a story from another time and place where the characters had to take drastic measures to get what they wanted. We discussed whose actions we approved of most, and whose we disapproved of. It was difficult to come to a consensus when we realized that everyone values different characteristics in people. The idea was also presented that maybe we didn’t understand the context or culture of the story, and so we did not have the power to judge justly.

Initially I didn’t understand why we were participating in this small debate. The story didn’t reveal enough information, and confrontation with my peers is not my favorite pastime. I finally decided that the reason we were arguing about something so inconsequential was because sometimes we have to use small amounts of information to draw conclusions. It’s hard, but necessary in certain circumstances.

How does this tie into an experience abroad? Well, sometimes we don’t have as much information as we’d like, especially in a field study project. I think the project I chose for a field study could be something hard to gather information on, but that doesn’t mean that my project idea will disappear. Sometimes, despite not knowing the context of a story or of someone’s life, we have to make judgments and draw conclusions based on what we do know or see. This is kind of a scary thought. We are not built for inferences and flee from anything that doesn’t have enough proof. Even as I write this, I’m not sure I’m comfortable designing and executing a project where the information I want is not abundant. But it also makes me wonder what other ideas in Tonga exist that I can focus my project on.

Statement of Intent

The goal of my project in Tonga is to envelop myself in a culture other than my own. I want to learn to cook and speak and celebrate the way Tongans do in order to open my mind and heart to people I may not understand at first. This idea will serve as the main goal of my trip, but an adequate compliment comes in the form of studying the medicinal plants used in Tonga. I want to learn about which plants treat which maladies, as well as observe and understand the habits of traditional healers on the islands. 

The personal growth I hope to experience will take place through contact with the natives. I have never traveled anywhere before, and in my opinion, the most important aspect of traveling is interaction with the locals. With an experience abroad, I will be closer to understanding human nature in a way that is not constrained to American culture. The opportunity to be abroad for a solid three months will likely be unparalleled by any other experience I have in my lifetime. Conveniently enough, one of my two majors is Environmental Science and because Tonga is a tropical island, the chance to explore the native botany is hard to resist. Immersing myself in a place that relies heavily on plants for survival will add a unique dimension to my major and allow the option of publishing an article and pursuing the same research in a different setting. 

To answer my research questions, I plan on interviewing several traditional healers. I’ll ask them which plants are used most, what are they used for, and how are they used. If there is a botanical garden, I plan on visiting it. I also hope to talk to the patients of traditional healers in order to discern what kinds of plants they grow at home and what kinds they have to go to healers for. Hopefully after talked to Melinda Ostraff my project approach will be altered in a more efficient way.

Source Document Analysis 1/25

Whistler, Arthur. "Herbal Medicine in the Kingdom of Tonga." Journal of Ethnopharmacology. March 1991. Volume 31 Issue 3. 339-372. 
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/037887419190020E>

This article is a study of medicinal practices in Tonga in the late 80s. 105 plants were documented for their purpose and popularity. This article would help me become familiar with the plants that grow in Tonga. It is likely that I can model my research after this man's article. 

Why a Field Study?

During Fall semester, I talked to one of my friends about my plans to study in Tonga. He asked me how much it would cost, and when I told him, he said it wasn't worth it. He said that I could go almost anywhere with the same amount of money and do a lot more things. I thought about that, had doubts for a while. But as I continue to attend my Field Study Prep class, I learn that a field study is not about how for I travel or what adventures I go on. On Friday we discussed the purpose of a field study. My field study has turned into a bigger investment of time than a few weeks in a different country. I think that this field study in Tonga will define the rest of my college career and have huge repercussions on what I do after graduation. I'm gradually realizing what a big deal this is and how worth it it will be because of this class.

Ashley asked us why the research we were doing in the field couldn't be done in a library. I had to think about that because the Harold B. Lee Library has a surprisingly large number of books on plants in Tonga. As I thought about this more, my idea for a project evolved a little bit. I want to focus more on the actual plants, and less on comparing traditional healing to westernized medicine. I want to know how the active ingredient in each plant works, and hopefully learn the practice of preparing these medicines. Unfortunately, I'm worried about having a project that repeats research that has already been done, but for me it will be brand new.

I think that what our class is trying to get us to see is that Field Studies are not all about discovering new concepts in medicine, or studying the relationship between people and plants. They are about understanding different people, why they do the things they do, and trying it for ourselves. Those are things you cannot uncover by visiting the library.

Note: I also thought about how to get over my fears of being shy when I get to Tonga. I decided that I have to start here in Provo by saying hi to people I don't know or asking people for help when I'm unsure about how to do something. Ultimately I just need to learn to be comfortable with getting out of my comfort zone.

Project Question

What plants are used for which different maladies in Tonga and how does the plant function? If possible, what is the active ingredient in each plant?

I travel, therefore I am.

Recently I had the privilege of talking to my friend Cameron about his views on travel and the things that he has learned from exploring the world. Because I have never been anywhere besides the continental U.S, I thought talking to someone like him would compliment what we have been learning about in class.

When I asked him what he learned from traveling, his first response was that most people are essentially the same even when separated by culture or location. They laugh at the same jokes, they like to party, and they all enjoy music. He told me a story about a Bedouin camel herder in Jordan named Ahmed. He invited them to go camping in the desert, and while there the camel herder pulled out his cell phone and played "Heya" by Outkast. Although I had already had the notion that people in the world have the same wants and needs, it was fascinating to learn that they also have many of the same interests, and hearing it from someone who had experienced these things made the similarities more real to me.

The thing I'm the most scared of is that I'll keep too much to myself instead of interacting enough with the natives. But Cameron says that one of the most vital things to a successful experience abroad is to get outside of your comfort zone. I hope that I will be able to do this in a new country with new people. During my preparation for Tonga, the idea of traveling to a different country has struck me with a variety of fears, aspirations, and reservations. I know that I am not outgoing, nor do I ask people to teach me things. However, an experience in Tonga will continue to teach me lessons of independence that I have begun to learn here at BYU. Cameron says that traveling and reading are the two most educational things that anyone can do. While I may not be thoroughly convinced of this idea, I am willing to test it for myself.

Geography

In class on Friday we talked about the importance of the history of the Tonga Field Study Program. It started only a few years ago and has been very small. Initially students focused on art like weaving or painting. In the last couple of years, however, it has expanded. The students have become increasingly independent and their projects have become more varied. Now there are kids studying plants, health education, and family psychology. More and more students have the opportunity to study things that are relevant to their majors.

Tonga is made up of 176 islands, 52 of which are inhabited. The islands are divided into three main groups: Tongatapu (the main island), Vava'u, and Ha'apai. The nation has a monarchy, with a huge celebration for the king's birthday during the summer.

As I find more out about Tonga, I'm more thrilled to be going there, but also kind of anxious. I don't know if I'll be able to eat their food for three months, let alone shower with a bucket of water. But then I remember that I get to meet some of the most friendly people in the world while learning about plants and medicine.

25 Questions

1. What kinds of plants do Tongans use for which illnesses/injuries?

2. Which of these can I use on a regular basis or recommend to my family?
3. What kind of plants are used for birth?
4. How are these plants administered?
5. What kind of plants are used for burial?
6. How are these plants used?
7. Which of these plants are symbolic and which have medicinal importance?
8. What percent of the medicine practiced on the island is considered traditional? 
9. What percent is considered western?
10. What kind of interaction is there between the natural healers and certified doctors? Is the relationship friendly?
11. Is natural healing a hereditary occupation?
12. What parts of different plants are used for what?
13. What are the active ingredients of these plants?
14. Where do these plants grow the best?
15. What plants are the most popular when it comes to everyday health?
16. How many plant species are native to the islands of Tonga?
17. How has the plant population changed over the course of Tonga's history?
18. Have the non indigenous plants had a positive or negative effect on the botany?
19. What invasive species are there, if any?
20. How heavy are the effects of pollution on the island?
21. What is the interaction between plants and animals like? How can this contribute to research on medicinal plants?
22. Do animals use the active ingredients in plants for the same things that humans do?
23. Are plants used primarily for food, or is there an even distribution between food and medicine?
24. What plant ingredients are exported? Which ones have to be imported?
25. Is natural healing something practiced and understood by people of all ages?

Plants

When Condoleezza Rice spoke at BYU last year, she told us that the best way to figure out what we want to do in life is to find our passion. She told us she had played the piano her whole life, thinking it was the thing that would bring her the most happiness. In the last year of her college career, she stumbled upon a required political science class and never went back. She found what she was passionate about. Eventually she got to play a duet with Yo Yo Ma, not because she was a piano performance major but because she was Secretary of State.

I didn't understand this for awhile. I didn't know how one went about "finding their passion." And I definitely didn't (and still don't) have enough life experience to understand what that actually means. But I did know what kinds of things made me excited. I loved explaining matrices and eigenvectors and trigonometry. But the feeling was not exactly fulfilling in the way that I wanted it to be. Eventually, I recognized my interest with the scenery around me. There's something indescribable about climbing to the top of Half Dome, sweaty and shaking, to see what there is at the top of a mountain.

Last fall I took a class called "Cultural History of Medicinal Plants." No, I'm not a witch doctor. Not yet. But I want to learn all the things that witch doctors know. I want to be able to walk down the street and name trees and plants by their actual names and know what their uses are. The other night I found a few books at the library on plants in Tonga and surprised myself at how excited I was. I get to go to a tropical island to learn about plants. Nobody gets to (or maybe wants to) do that. I have found something I'm passionate about.

11 January 2012

This blog is for my Field Study Preparation class. We are required to organize and complete an "Online Learning Journal." I'm excited to document every planning step of this lengthy and detailed process and I know it will help me in the field and afterwards. I'm getting ready to go on a 90 day trip to the nation of Tonga! Because one of my majors at BYU is environmental science, I'm hoping to have the opportunity to study traditional herbal medical practices in Tonga, or almost anything related to plants and the outdoors.

In class on Monday, we talked about how some students do not get the most out of their experiences abroad. They are focused on themselves, not the native people. It was mentioned that a lot of American students who travel want to add the experience to their list of exciting accomplishments. I admit, I have this idea that I'll go to Tonga and learn how to spear fish, play the ukelele, and prove my independence. But our class discussion helped me to see otherwise. My goal is not to better myself, but my education of other places. It was brought to my attention (especially during the Rafa Rafa game) how important it is to observe, understand, and even participate in others' cultures. If we deny ourselves this experience, we remain locked into what we believe to be "normal" or "right." I refuse to be confined to these parameters.

In the future I hope to bring to others--and more importantly, my kids--all the lessons I learn abroad. If I can teach others not only the importance of the cultures, but the excitement, my field study can be considered successful.

I cannot wait to be in Tonga!