Language and Power

Question 1

What is the purpose of political language?

Answer 1

To persuade.

Question 2

What devices do politicians use?

Answer 2

Rhetorical devices.

Question 3

What are the 6 rhetorical devices that are commonly used by politicians?

Answer 3

Repetition- Those who BETRAY their party BETRAY themselves.

List of three- He came, he saw, he conquered.

First person plural pronoun- WE must strive together for the better health of the nation.

Figurative language- Under our leadership, the WINTER OF DISCOMFORT has become a SUMMER OF PROSPERITY.

Rhetorical questions- How much longer must our people endure this injustice.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)- Plague would be a better option than the health policies proposed.

Question 4

Legal language is quite distinctive- what is the specific vocabulary used by an occupation group known as?

Answer 4

Jargon.

Question 5

What is the syntax like in legal language?

Answer 5

Complex, with lots of subordinate clauses. Also repetitive.

Question 6

Due to the complexity of legal language, who gains a lot of power over non-specialists in the area?

Answer 6

Lawyers- if their clients don’t fully understand the complex jargon, then they have to trust in their lawyers to understand it.

Question 7

How do teachers assert their instrumental power?

Answer 7

By using imperatives and direct questions.

Question 8

Students use _____ imperatives and ask more ________ questions.

Answer 8

fewer, indirect.

Question 9

In an educational environment, there’s an imbalance in what?

Answer 9

Address terms.

Students might use respectful address terms to the teacher such as Sir or Mr Smith, while teachers usually use the student’s first name.

This shows an understanding that the teacher has authority.

Question 10

What are power structures in the language of business similar to?

Answer 10

Power structures in education.

Managers may speak more directly to their employees, using imperatives and direct questions. Whereas, employees may use more politeness strategies and fewer imperatives.

Question 11

What can address terms(what people call each other) show?

Answer 11

Power relationships.

Question 12

What can imbalances in address terms reveal?

Answer 12

Unequal power relationships.

Question 13

How can initiating a conversation be seen as asserting power?

Answer 13

It is seen as taking the lead of the conversation.

Question 14

How can ‘holding the floor’ be seen as asserting power?

Answer 14

Usually conversations involve turn-taking, however if a certain individual ‘holds the floor’ they show dominance by not letting anyone else in.

Question 15

How can imperatives be seen as asserting power?

Answer 15

Giving orders and directions can be a sign of dominance.

Question 16

How can interrupting be seen as asserting power?

Answer 16

It shows that the interrupting person has little interest in what the other speaking is saying, undermining the other inidividual.

Question 17

How can unresponsiveness be seen as asserting power?

Answer 17

This is seen as a negative way of asserting control. If the speaker is ignored or the other individual responds with back channel noises (mm or uh huh) then the status of the speaker is undermined.

Question 18

How can questioning be seen as asserting power?

Answer 18

Questions direct the topic of conversation, and make it clear when the other person is expected to talk.

However, questioning can be a way to pass control to somebody else to ‘hold the floor’.

Question 19

How can topic changing be seen as asserting power?

Answer 19

This can be a technique of reasserting control. By diverting attention to a different topic, they’re trying to gain control over the direction of the conversation.

Politicians often do this when they’re uncomfortable discussing a certain topic.

Question 20

How can closing down a conversation be seen as asserting power?

Answer 20

This asserts power by not allowing other speakers to carry on talking.

E.g. saying goodbye or walking away.

Question 21

Why are speakers of Standard English often perceived to have more authority and status than speakers of regional dialect?

Answer 21

Because they’re associated with professional jobs and a good education.

Question 22

How can jargon be used to gain power?

Answer 22

When specialists use jargon specific to their field, this can intimidate non-specialists, which allows them to have more power and dominance.

Speaking in jargon can hide the reality of what’s going on, as the non-specialist won’t be able to understand the meaning of the terms used.

Question 23

In some circumstances, why is jargon judged to be politically incorrect?

Answer 23

It is used to control other people, which is wrong as the world we now live in aims to promote equality.

Question 24

Why does the media hold considerable power?

Answer 24

Because they have a big influence on people’s attitudes and values.

• Bias
• Prejudice towards certain groups, creating a negative image.
• Stereotypes
• Sensationalising

Question 25

What is the most persuasive form of media?

Answer 25

Adverts.

• Showing just attractive people with luxurious lifestyles, persuading the reader to buy the item.
• Can persuade a certain target audience, by using specific terminology/jargon.
• The ‘hook’ is the device advertisers use to get the audience’s attention- can be verbal, visual or musical.

Question 26

Which newspapers are more powerful, tabloid or broadsheet?

Answer 26

Broadsheet.

Question 27

What is instrumental power?

Answer 27

Actual power an individual possesses.

E.g. Teacher over student.

Question 28

What is influential power?

Answer 28

Where an individual tries to influence/persuade someone to gain power.