Linguistic Anthropology

Linguistic Anthropology plays a huge part in American Anthropology and it began with the founder, Franz Boas. In 1911, Boas created the Handbook of American Indian Languages. Boas's work was inspired by the Native American culture. He introduced the understanding of linguistic and cultural relativism. The concept that language or culture can only be comprehended with the cultures own internal logic.

The concept of linguistic relativism was established by Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf. They both argued that languages affect the speakers to experience the world in their own perspective. This perspective became well known as the "Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis".

Reference:

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3045300091.html