Theories of Language and Power

in a conversation with asymmetrical power, people with less superior position may

• use more formal term of address

• allow the others to call them by a more casual address to create more symmetrical power

• call others by name or "you"

• interrupt the others more

In a conversation, a speaker can exert power by (more than 1 correct answers)

• Initiating conversation

• Controlling and changing topics

• do not give enough time for the others to respond

• giving orders through imperatives

in a text, a writer exert power by (more than one correct answers)

• images/color with connotation

• diffferent auxiliary verbs

• declarative and imperative sentences

• emotive lexis

The use of language to make others change their perceptions, opinion, and paradigm about something

• influential power

• instrumental power

• exert power

• politeness principles

the use of language to make people take action or do something

• influential power

• instrumental power

• politeness principles

• maxim theory

Personal Power (by Wareing)

• People gain power because of their occupation or role

• People gain power because the are in the position of holding law (politician, police, law court officer)

• People gain power because they are part of a certain community in the society

• People gain power because of the language being used

Political Power (by Wareing)

• People gain power because of their occupation or role

• People gain power because the are in the position of holding law (politician, police, law court officer)

• People gain power because they are part of a certain community in the society

• People gain power because of the language being used

Social Power (by Wareing)

• People gain power because of their occupation or role

• People gain power because the are in the position of holding law (politician, police, law court officer)

• People gain power because they are part of a certain community in the society

• People gain power because of the language being used

What is IRF? (by Sinclair and Coulthard) (more than one correct answers)

• limited to teacher and learner discussion

• pattern of discussion

• initiation - response - feedback

• synthetic personalization

Pragmatic model (by Grice)

• maxim of communication

• politeness principles

• synthetic personalization

• negative and positive politeness