If you want to discover how power plays an integral part in language, learn about a theory called “models of power and trust.” It is an idea that attempts to illustrate how certain cultural predispositions about power compel people to act in certain ways without really knowing they are doing it. These ingrain cultural behaviors, generally acquired in childhood, make us unaware of how we severely restrict our ability to communicate more fully with others. To best illustrate how power plays a role in language, consider a story about a metaphorical lion and lamb.
A lion and lamb live together in a forest, but
do not occupy the same space. They go through their daily lives pretty much the same way, as well. The lion and lamb both go to work, spend time playing, and go to sleep and so on. Although they each have two legs, ears and eyes, for example, there are marked differences between the two, however. The lion is a predator that is massive and strong; the lamb is much weaker by comparison and less deadly than the lion. At some point, both will become hungry and need to eat. In the course of having to communicate with the other, that is for example, when the lamb said it was hungry, the lion was not affected in any way. Because of the difference in power, the lion does not have to concern itself with whether or not the lamb is hungry. Even the most considerate and kind lion, with the best of intentions, can never understand what it is to be the lamb because it has been a lion all of its life. It trusts the relationship is equal and it does not have to know anything about the lamb in order to survive. The lamb, however, has to worry whether or not the lion is hungry all of the time. It must always be aware of what the lion is feeling and thinking every minute of the affair – one slip and the lamb becomes dinner. The relationship is not equal even though the lion, through no fault of its own, might think it is.
To paraphrase, consider what happens in a relationship when a person with more power essentially dictates how the relationship operates. The more powerful agent, in this case the lion, makes rules as to how the lamb will work, play and even live. The lion may even make rules for the lamb to abide by, as well doling out consequences for particular lambs who do not comply. Each agent (lion or lamb) in this situation is not bound by the same set of rules, so measuring the other equally by
the same standards can be problematic, to say the least. Consider how some language learning attempts to equalize everyone and ask yourself, is everyone the same? Consider which role you play?
Learn more about diversity, culture and language at the following link:
http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/resabout/culture/3_diversity.html