Epistemic Challenges in the Studies of Remittances: Denomination and Ostensive Definition in the Exploratory Research on Informal Value Transfer System

Abstract

There are certain areas of study in which researchers deal with and even create a plethora of terms. The Informal Transfer of Values Systems (IVTS) are one of these areas. There are many terms available in the lexicon of research on IVTS around the world, such as hawala, hundi, fei ch’ien, encomenderos etc. The informal remittance system, typical of Venezuelan migration, appears to be located in the grey zone between the large irregular money transfer markets and the modest, informal systems allowing money transfers to people who are struggling in their countries. That is why it is important that Venezuela’s IVTS receive a unique label. In search of an appropriate label that reflects the peculiarities of Venezuela’s IVTS, it is important to pay attention to the linguistic aspects that come with the epistemological challenges. Almost a century ago, the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein highlighted the importance of the ostensive definition to make sense of the words we use ordinarily. Without neglecting his epistemological warnings, this article argues that migration studies have advanced in expanding their own terminology, in a relatively consistent way with the Wittgensteinian linguistic approach.