言語とパワー : 概観
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概要
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Linguistic studies in the second half of the 20th century have been largely concerned with the relations of language and society. This has been a natural development, as the function of language is to convey human concerns in certain social situations. This paper intends to review studies devoted to finding the relationship of power, one of the most basic social concerns, and language. The concept of power in the West is closely linked to politics, which is associated with "authority, persuasion, influence", which is different from the original, rather limited meaning of "country, government". The significance of language to government is enormous as the governing largely depends on language. But the influence and control of language expressions do not remain political, therefore "power" is used in the linguistic studies. The general definition of power could be termed as "the capacity of some persons to produce intended and foreseen effects on others". The power, in general, is understood as static, but sociolinguists interpret power as dynamic, created by interactions in various social situations. Power comes from below as well as from above, as seen in the struggle between force and resistance. In order to understand how power uses language and how language expresses power, researchers observed interactions in specific situations and analyzed the discourse. Studies focused on the relationship of language and power in academic, medical, management, and medical field are reviewed. In academic context, three studies are reviewed: the first one deals with the effects of status, ethnicity, and sex (Jones et al.), the second, questions and power in professor's office hours (Nair-Brodeur), and the third, the apportionment of turns in classroom discussion (Bergvall). In medical setting, studies on the power relationship between a patient and a resident during a routine clinic visit (Treichler et al.) and on interruptions as a means of exerting control (West) are reviewed. Language and power studies in management are reviewed from two studies: one on linguistic markers on inclusion and exclusion (Langevin) and the other on conversational strategies of women in leadership positions (Troemel-Ploetz). In the fourth section, two studies in legal context are reviewed. The first study is on the social class of the defendant and justice in the courtroom (Wodak-Engel), and the second study is on the use of "women's language" among the courtroom witnesses (O'Barr & Atkins). The last section reviews a study that discusses whether Japanese communication strategies are "powerless" (Wetzel). Each study presents specific language-power relations and problems, but the dynamic nature of the relationship, created in specific social cultural contexts, is observed throughout the reviewing of the studies.
- 久留米大学の論文