Encountering Micronesia through Sociolinguistic Fieldwork

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a practical guide to those who have the opportunity to conduct sociolinguistic field research in Micronesia, focusing on the hands-on, nitty-gritty experiences of actual data collection rather than theoretical aspects. Informed by my fieldwork experiences as a novice researcher in the 1990s, it discusses 2 main issues: how to gain access to the community and how to find potential informants. It also provides some useful tips for dos and don’ts for field research in Micronesia.