FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power) Language has symbolic power… “The use of language...depends on the social position of the speaker;” hence, the authority of language “comes to language from outside” i.e. from the access to various types of “capital” an individual has (Bourdieu, 1991, p. 5)

Symbolic power and social capital… Pierre Bourdieu identifies 3 types of capital: economic capital composed of material wealth; economic capital composed of material wealth; cultural capital derived from knowledge and skill; and cultural capital derived from knowledge and skill; and symbolic capital based on prestige and honor. symbolic capital based on prestige and honor. (Bourdieu, 1991) Bourdieu, P. (1991). Language and symbolic power. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

Social power relations Power underlies all social relations; put differently, it makes social relationships work Power underlies all social relations; put differently, it makes social relationships work Social relations include speech interactions in which people exercise power to achieve their purposes for speaking/listening Social relations include speech interactions in which people exercise power to achieve their purposes for speaking/listening Social relations of power are never equal - E.g. in academic lectures (interactions), the lecturer exercises greater power as well as different types of power over the students Social relations of power are never equal - E.g. in academic lectures (interactions), the lecturer exercises greater power as well as different types of power over the students FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

Defining social power Anthony Giddens (1995) defines “power” as “the use of resources, of whatever kind, to secure outcomes” in social practices (p. 214). Anthony Giddens (1995) defines “power” as “the use of resources, of whatever kind, to secure outcomes” in social practices (p. 214). Pierre Bourdieu (1991): In Language and symbolic power, Bourdieu argues that “…language should he viewed not only as a means of communication but also as a medium of power through which individuals pursue their own interests and display their practical competence”. Pierre Bourdieu (1991): In Language and symbolic power, Bourdieu argues that “…language should he viewed not only as a means of communication but also as a medium of power through which individuals pursue their own interests and display their practical competence”. FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

Defining power (cont’d) Fairclough says that power is “conceptualized both in terms of asymmetries between participants in discourse events, and in terms of unequal capacity to control how texts are produced, distributed and consumed… in particular sociocultural contexts (1995, p. 1) Fairclough says that power is “conceptualized both in terms of asymmetries between participants in discourse events, and in terms of unequal capacity to control how texts are produced, distributed and consumed… in particular sociocultural contexts (1995, p. 1) FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

Defining power (cont’d) Fairclough (1989, 2001) distinguishes between two major dimensions of power: Fairclough (1989, 2001) distinguishes between two major dimensions of power: “power in discourse” – the actual exercise of power (see types of power below) to actively constrain or control others and their contributions by using language in social interactions E.g. in spoken/written interactions between lecturer and student, doctor and patient, supervisor and worker, etc. “power in discourse” – the actual exercise of power (see types of power below) to actively constrain or control others and their contributions by using language in social interactions E.g. in spoken/written interactions between lecturer and student, doctor and patient, supervisor and worker, etc. FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

Defining power (cont’d) “power behind discourse” – how relations of power shape and make up social orders and institutions that are structured and interconnected through the use of language E.g. in the university social order: “vice chancellor”, “dean”, “head of department”, “lecturer”, and “student”. “power behind discourse” – how relations of power shape and make up social orders and institutions that are structured and interconnected through the use of language E.g. in the university social order: “vice chancellor”, “dean”, “head of department”, “lecturer”, and “student”. Institutionalized language or “standardized language” (e.g. “standard Bahasa Malaysia”or “standard English”) is an important form of power behind discourse i.e those who can use it have power over those who can’t Institutionalized language or “standardized language” (e.g. “standard Bahasa Malaysia”or “standard English”) is an important form of power behind discourse i.e those who can use it have power over those who can’t My take: Power = C + C + D i.e. Control, Choice, and Decision-making over/on behalf of other people My take: Power = C + C + D i.e. Control, Choice, and Decision-making over/on behalf of other people FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

Types of social power 1. Expert power based on knowledge and/or expertise in a discipline based on knowledge and/or expertise in a discipline May also be called “intellectual power” May also be called “intellectual power” E.g. lecturers and professors E.g. lecturers and professors 2. Referent power Based on admiration or idol worship Based on admiration or idol worship E.g. pop/movie stars and popular politicians E.g. pop/movie stars and popular politicians FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

Types of social power (cont’d) 3. Legitimate power Also known as “authoritative power” Also known as “authoritative power” Drawn from legal sources or credentials Drawn from legal sources or credentials E.g. Teachers, lawyers, lecturers, government ministers, etc. E.g. Teachers, lawyers, lecturers, government ministers, etc. 4. Coercive power Based on the use of force (physical, legal, intellectual, etc.) Based on the use of force (physical, legal, intellectual, etc.) Also known as “punishment power” Also known as “punishment power” FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

Types of social power (cont’d) 5. Reward power Based ability to give rewards and incentives to others under control of person who exercises this form of power Based ability to give rewards and incentives to others under control of person who exercises this form of power E.g. parents, teachers, politicians, etc. E.g. parents, teachers, politicians, etc. 6. Persuasive power Based on ability to use language to secure consent/agreement of other peple Based on ability to use language to secure consent/agreement of other peple Sometimes known as “bargaining power” Sometimes known as “bargaining power” FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

Some comments on power Social power in interactions, including spoken interactions/communication, works as a combination of different forms of power Social power in interactions, including spoken interactions/communication, works as a combination of different forms of power People who exercise power may be called “power holders” (see examples in types of power above) People who exercise power may be called “power holders” (see examples in types of power above) The exercise of power becomes problematic when the holder abuses it to dominate/manipulate others and/or for personal gain The exercise of power becomes problematic when the holder abuses it to dominate/manipulate others and/or for personal gain FBMK UPM B. A. (English Language) /BBI 3303 (Language and Power)

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