Definition

Relating to the analysis of cultural phenomena from the viewpoint of someone who is part of the culture being studied.

Example

The emic perspective is essential for understanding the beliefs and practices of a community.

Conversation

Have you ever thought about how we analyze different cultures?

Yeah, I find it interesting, especially the emic perspective.

Right? It really helps to understand behaviors from within the culture.

Exactly! It makes the research feel more authentic.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Emic is derived from the suffix "-emic" (meaning related to a particular cultural perspective) which is based on the root "phonemic" (from Greek "phōnēma", meaning sound). The term emic refers to an approach that focuses on the intrinsic cultural distinctions that are meaningful to the members of a given culture.

Memory Tip

Think of the suffix '-emic' as relating to a specific cultural perspective, which helps you remember that 'emic' refers to understanding a culture from within.

Visually Confused Words