Three approaches in the research field of ethnomodeling: emic (local), etic (global), and dialogical (glocal)

• Main Authors: Daniel C. Orey, Milton Rosa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad de Nariño 2015-07-01
• Series: Revista Latinoamericana de Etnomatemática
• Subjects: Etic; Emic; Dialogical; Ethnomodeling; Ethnomathematics; Mathematization
• Online Access: http://revista.etnomatematica.org/index.php/RLE/article/view/176/195

The acquisition of both emic (local) and etic (global) knowledge is an alternative goal for the implementation of ethnomodeling research. Emic knowledge is essential for an intuitive and empathic understanding of mathematical ideas, procedures, and practices developed by the members of distinct cultural groups. It is essential for conducting effective ethnographic fieldwork. Furthermore, emic knowledge is a valuable source of inspiration for etic hypotheses. Etic knowledge is essential for cross-cultural comparisons, which are based on the components of ethnology. In this regard, such comparisons demand standard units and categories to facilitate communication. Dialogical (glocal) is a third approach for ethnomodeling research that makes use of both emic and etic knowledge traditions through processes of dialogue and interaction. Ethnomodeling is defined as the study of mathematical phenomena within a culture because it is a social construct and is culturally bound. Finally, the objective of this article is to show how we have come to use a combination of emic, etic and dialogical (glocal) approaches in our work in the area of ethnomodeling, which contributes to the acquisition of a more complete understanding of mathematical practices developed by the members of distinct cultural groups.