Language and Power Flashcards
Revise the key concepts for language and power
Name French and Raven’s 5 bases of power.
Legitimate, Reward, Coercive, Expert, Referent
Which base of power relies on knowledge or skills?
Expert power
What is ‘coercive power’?
Power based on the ability to punish or impose negative consequences
Which base of power is most linked to role or position?
Legitimate power
What is instrumental power?
Power used to enforce authority, often through rules, laws, or commands
What is influential power?
Power used to persuade or influence people’s beliefs or behavior
Which type of power is used in laws and rules?
Instrumental power
Which type of power persuades rather than enforces?
Influential power
How does deontic modality create power in a text?
Deontic modality expresses obligations or permissions (e.g., ‘must,’ ‘should’), asserting authority or control
How does epistemic modality create power in a text?
Epistemic modality expresses certainty or doubt (e.g., ‘might,’ ‘will’), shaping perceptions and controlling interpretations
Which type of modality is used in: ‘You must complete this task’? Explain its effect on power.
Deontic modality; it asserts authority and imposes an obligation on the listener
Give one example of power in family discourse.
Parents using imperatives to instruct children, e.g., ‘Clean your room’
What type of questions assert power in conversations?
Leading questions or rhetorical questions
What is an adjacency pair?
A conversational exchange where one speaker’s utterance prompts a predictable response (e.g., question → answer)
How does turn-taking show power?
Controlling turn-taking can dominate a conversation, silencing or marginalizing others
What is jargon? (Norman Fairclough)
Specialized language used by specific groups, often to maintain power or exclusivity
What is pseudo-jargon? (Jean Aitchison)
Overcomplicated or made-up language that mimics jargon, used to impress or confuse
How can jargon create power imbalances?
It excludes those who lack knowledge of the terms, establishing the speaker’s authority
Why might professionals use jargon?
To communicate precisely within their field or to maintain authority
What is overt prestige? (Labov)
Status gained by using the standard or widely accepted form of language
What is covert prestige? (Labov)
Status gained by using non-standard forms valued within a specific social group
Why might someone use language with covert prestige?
To gain acceptance or solidarity within a social group
Which type of prestige reinforces standard forms of language?
Overt prestige
What is an imperative?
A command or directive, e.g., ‘Close the door’
What does an interruption signal in conversation?
It can assert dominance or challenge another speaker’s control
Which rhetorical device repeats words for emphasis?
Repetition
What is one way politeness strategies reduce power imbalances?
Using hedges (e.g., ‘perhaps’) or apologies to soften commands or requests
How does Norman Fairclough link power to discourse?
He argues that language is a tool for maintaining or challenging power, especially in institutional contexts
