English Language       Brooke Hamblin

Language and Power

 This is an example of a langauge and power text

Power asymmetry: difference in power status of participants

Unequal encounter: a power asymmetry but specifically demonstrated in the physical layout

Power shift: when the balance in power changes

Powerful participant: the individual who has more power

Less powerful participant: the individual with less power

Linguistic constraint’s: tactics to control interaction

Face: Brown and Levingston’s theory about an individual’s self-esteem and/or emotional needs

Positive face: Want to feel loved and appreciated

Negative face: the want to be left alone

Wareings theory: three types of power

·         Political power- politicians, law police

·         Personal power- occupation or role e.g.teacher

·         Social group- power, age, race, gender, class

·         Instrumental power- maintaining and enforcing authority

·         Influential power-influencing your actions, very persuasive

·         Ideology – set of belief systems, way or perceiving the world

POWER DEPENDS ON CONTEXT