nomadic

English translation: nomadic thinking

12:13 Sep 19, 2004
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Social Sciences - Anthropology
English term or phrase: nomadic
As in: "Anthropological thinking is nomadic and its particular genius lies in the ability to see beyond the specific instance to broader social patterns and related behaviours that may assume a different shape in response to specific social, economic and historical conditions.
Jowita (X)
Local time: 01:22
Selected answer:nomadic thinking
Explanation:
I beleive we are speaking of the nomadic quality of anthropological thinking and I suspect an insider's wordplay.
By extension, it would mean that the anthropologist does not study a situation with a predetermined mindset or by limiting him(her)self to the experience at hand. He will search for other instances or experiences that could help him understand or explain the object of his study... his mind nomadically traveling to other roads/areas of knowledge.
Nomads are not always aimless or without pattern. Most of them follow old routes taking them - and their livestock - to better hunting grounds or pastures.
Selected response from:

Martine Brault
Canada
Local time: 21:22
Grading comment
thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +6frequently roaming about from place to place randomly
Michael Powers (PhD)
4 +5nomadic thinking
Martine Brault
4 +1out of the box/wandering thinking
Michel A.
4not having a fixed domicile
Derek Gill Franßen


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
frequently roaming about from place to place randomly


Explanation:
Merriam-Webster "nomadic"

Main Entry:no£mad£ic
Pronunciation:n*-*ma-dik
Function:adjective
Date:circa 1818

1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of nomads *a nomadic tribe*
2 : roaming about from place to place aimlessly, frequently, or without a fixed pattern of movement

Mike :)

Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
Local time: 21:22
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Richard Benham: Jryy qbar, Zvxr!
5 mins
  -> Oefs diibvw; wea io, sasa llwf iefn ido lkefsj!!!

agree  Marie Andersson (Allen)
7 mins
  -> Thank you, Marie - Mike :)

agree  JohnGBell: but I dispute the random bit as often nomadic tribes will follow a seasonal pattern e.g. the nomadic Lapps who follow reindeer migrations
9 mins
  -> Thank you, JohnG, and I agree with your constructive observation: my ill attempt to reword "aimlessly, ... without a fixed pattern of movement," although in retrospect, perhaps the source is not that accurate regarding the same subject. - Mike :)

agree  Vicky Papaprodromou
22 mins

agree  Derek Gill Franßen
52 mins

agree  Tatiana Nero (X)
2 hrs
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37 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
not having a fixed domicile


Explanation:
definition: itinerant (see: http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/english...
synonyms: drifting, gypsy, itinerate, migrant, migratory, pastoral, perambulant, perambulatory, peripatetic, roaming, roving, traveling, vagabond, vagrant, wandering, wayfaring (see: http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=nomadic)

:-)

Derek Gill Franßen
Germany
Local time: 02:22
Native speaker of: English
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
nomadic thinking


Explanation:
I beleive we are speaking of the nomadic quality of anthropological thinking and I suspect an insider's wordplay.
By extension, it would mean that the anthropologist does not study a situation with a predetermined mindset or by limiting him(her)self to the experience at hand. He will search for other instances or experiences that could help him understand or explain the object of his study... his mind nomadically traveling to other roads/areas of knowledge.
Nomads are not always aimless or without pattern. Most of them follow old routes taking them - and their livestock - to better hunting grounds or pastures.

Martine Brault
Canada
Local time: 21:22
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
thank you

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kirill Semenov: judging from the context, this way of thinking is considered as quite fruitful, so it has to sound positive . Thus, the word "random" is probably not the best choice, as you rightfully noted
37 mins
  -> Thank you!

agree  David Moore (X)
41 mins
  -> Thank you

agree  DGK T-I
58 mins
  -> THank you

agree  Michel A.
1 hr
  -> Thank you!

agree  Saleh Chowdhury, Ph.D.
2 hrs
  -> Thank you
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
out of the box/wandering thinking


Explanation:
the difference in terms of thinking processes between a hard-sciences scientist (rational, linear) and an anthropologist who gleans and picks up information/ideas/concepts....wherever and whenever he finds them - and very often in a surprisingly unexpected way....

cf Nigel Barley: "The innocent anthropologist"

Michel A.
Local time: 21:22
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Martine Brault: right on!
21 mins
  -> Thanks
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