Statement Analysis: Regional Understanding

not exactly stamp collecting  

Some have asked about what regionalism (culture) does to analysis, and it is something we not only recognize, but can answer plainly.

Principle as taught by Avinoam Sapir:  If you must use a microscope to uncover deception; it does not exist.  www.lsiscan.com 

Scientific Content Analysis is just that:  scientific, meaning that repeated testing should result in repeated conclusions, but it is also "content" based:

When looking at a large statement, we will not use a "microscope", that is, pick upon a minor point and jump ahead to a conclusion.

Here in Maine, the summer afternoons can seem to be "wicked hot"; that is, 'very' hot.  There is nothing inherently evil about the heat (according to most), in the way that the shoes I wear are, without doubt, about the "coolest" shoes anyone can wear.

The shoes do not have a lower temperature leather than others.

These things, however, are based upon a single word or phrase.  What about content and culture?

I have seen a few examples where regionalism is at play.  I recall being baffled at seeing filthy pick up trucks being driven through town, wondering why someone would not wash it until a local explained what "muddin'" was.  (I do not apologize for the dropped "g" having hailed from Long Guyland.)  This is where young people drive their shiny trucks through mud, deliberately splashing it all over the vehicle, and then drive slowly through their town's Main Street, proud of their accomplishment.  The dirtier the truck, the slower the drive through the center of town.  It is a point of bragging or boasting.

 I doubt opening a car wash would bring much revenue here.

Culture impacts language.  Content Analysis listens carefully knowing that if communication exists, analysis can be done.

The following was recounted to me, and I faithfully reproduce it and allow readers to comment.

A young male was driving his pick up truck (with very large tires) through town and saw a pedestrian of whom he stared at, as the pedestrian caught his attention.

The young male said that the man then got into his car, followed him slowly through town, put on lights, and pulled him over.  The man identified himself as a US Marshall, living locally.  The young man recognized him.

"Do you know why I pulled you over?"

The young man denied knowing, and denied speeding.  The officer of the law went back and forth from the truck to his car, and kept the young man waiting in excess of 30 minutes.  Locally, this is not unusual.  When the officer returned, the young man stated that the officer said the following:

"I pulled you over because you looked at me as if your truck was bigger than mine."

From here, a discussion continued in which the officer measured the tires, and called in, and finally let the young man go, sans ticket, agreeing that the tires were of some legal size or another.  (I have not heard of such things prior to this).  The officer owns a pick up truck of which he has considerable pride in. The officer was about 20 years older than the young man he pulled over.

What do you make of this statement?

How does culture play into the language?

Can you think of something regionally local to you that could be substituted for this statement, while conveying the meaning within the content?

Explain your responses.  Those of psychological backgrounds should have a bit of fun here.