Language and power
One of the suggested topics from the Language A: Language and Literature guide is ‘language and power’. This is a very broad topic and may include other topics as well. One of the many uses of language is to exert power over others through the use of language.
Power may be wielded for various reasons, such as creating allegiance to a political stance or decision, defining identities, or naming categories to include or exclude. Furthermore, the use of one style of language over another in various situations demonstrates where allegiances lie and who holds power.
This topic is broad, and also covers aspects of Part 2, where we will be looking at the language of rhetoric, propaganda and speeches. Here are some of the guiding questions which we will be exploring in our study of language and power.
Guiding questions
- How does one exert power through language?
- How is language used to propagate ideas and ideologies?
- Where do we see evidence of linguistic imperialism in the Anglophone world?
- How do titles, groupings or terminology to identify groups help to promote or hinder a particular group’s interests?
- Is holding power always to the detriment of someone else?
- Can language ever be used to gain power?
If it were done, when 'tis done 