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etic - What does it mean?

Definition of 'etic'

English

(Emic and etic)

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • (social sciences) Of or pertaining to analysis of a culture from a perspective situated outside all cultures.
  • * 1996 , Advanced Methodological Issues in Culturally Competent Evaluation for Substance Abuse Prevention
  • A useful example of the emic'-'''etic''' distinction may be made by comparing the concept “waves on the ocean or sea” from the perspective of a European American with that of a Truk Islander […] The proposed '''etic'''s here might be that both cultures understand the use of waves as vehicles for surfing and as movement reflecting the transfer of energy […] certain differences, or ' emic s exist, for European Americans the waves may be sources of beauty — the Truk Islander has learned to use them […] as a road map.

    Coordinate terms

    * emic

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    Similar to 'etic'

    etc, ethic