Paper Short Abstract:

This paper reimagines the ethnographic process by focusing on how researchers use verbal and emotional strategies to build bridges with local communities during fieldwork. Based on experiences with the Konyak Nagas, it highlights the vital role of interpreters, who mediate not only language but also cultural and emotional understanding. The study emphasizes the importance of humility and open dialogue in forming genuine relationships with research participants, advocating for a shift away from extractive and hierarchical models of ethnography. Rather than imposing external frameworks, the researcher engages with the community’s everyday life, participating in activities such as cooking and household chores, which create spaces for shared experiences and mutual learning. This approach fosters deeper connections and challenges the traditional role of the ethnographer as an external observer. By prioritizing respect and empathy, this paper advocates for a more inclusive and ethical way of conducting field research.

Paper Abstract:

This paper reimagines the ethnographic process by focusing on the interpersonal and linguistic strategies anthropologists employ during fieldwork to navigate cultural complexities. Drawing from fieldwork with the Konyak Nagas, it challenges conventional approaches to anthropology that often rely on rigid frameworks and hierarchical observer-subject dynamics. Central to this study is the role of interpreters, who do more than simply translate language; they mediate cultural interpretation, facilitating emotional and intellectual bridges between the researcher and the local community. The research underscores the significance of establishing meaningful relationships with participants by engaging in open, respectful, and nuanced communication. Rather than attempting to "fit in" or extract information, the researcher learns to appreciate the emotional cartographies of the community: its internal rhythms, values, and lived realities. Interpreters play a vital role in curating these spaces, enabling the ethnographer to participate in daily routines and shared experiences, such as food preparation and household chores, which in turn foster a deeper connection. This paper advocates for a decolonized ethnographic approach, emphasizing the importance of humility, adaptability, and a non-extractive dialogue. It calls for a rethinking of traditional fieldwork, where the researcher becomes an active participant in the cultural and emotional life of the community, rather than an outsider merely observing from a distance. By using language as a bridge for collaboration rather than dominance, this paper contributes to more ethical, empathetic, and inclusive ethnographic practices.